A Revolutionary Approach to Preventive Health
Why Do You Feel Out of Balance?
Ever wonder why stress gives you digestive issues? Why you feel exhausted even after a full night's rest?
Here's the truth: your body isn't a collection of isolated parts. It's an interconnected network of functional systems that constantly influence each other. When one system struggles, others feel the impact—creating a cascade of symptoms that seem unrelated but are deeply connected.
For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has understood this. Now, modern science and technology have caught up, allowing us to measure these ancient concepts with precision.
Introducing the Five Functional Systems Framework
The Five Functional Systems Framework bridges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge medical science. Instead of viewing your body through isolated organs, it reveals how your body actually functions: as five interconnected systems working in harmony to keep you healthy, energized, and resilient.
This framework was developed through collaboration among leading experts from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Hong Kong Baptist University, HKU Stroke, and UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. Their goal? To create a unified language for understanding health—one that honors TCM philosophy while aligning with modern medical principles.
And here's what makes this revolutionary. This framework isn't just theoretical. It's the diagnostic intelligence powering the Watch2Care Vital Smartwatch, translating your body's complex biometric signals into clear, actionable health insights.
The Five Functional Systems: A Deep Dive
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1. Life Harmony System (Your Nervous System Conductor)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Liver 肝藏
Think of this as your body's central command center for adaptation and balance.
What it does: This system has two critical functions. First, visceral nervous regulation—controlling your internal organs' automatic functions like digestion, heart rate, and breathing. Second, somatic nervous regulation—managing your sensory perception and voluntary movements. Together, they ensure seamless communication and coordination throughout your entire body, helping you perceive and respond effectively to both internal changes and external challenges.
Why it matters: This system determines how well you handle stress, adapt to change, and maintain equilibrium. When it's balanced, you feel calm yet alert, flexible yet focused. It's the conductor ensuring all your body's systems work in harmony.
What we monitor:
|
Indicator |
Status |
What You Might Feel (Symptoms) |
Potential Health Risks |
|
Sympathetic Excitability Your “Fight or Flight” response |
Too High |
Wired & Anxious: Rapid heartbeat, dry mouth/nose, cold sweats, restlessness, difficulty calming down |
Hypertension, Anxiety, Migraines, Coronary Heart Disease |
|
Too Low |
Sluggish and Slow: Dizziness when standing, low blood pressure, feeling faint, diarrhea |
Orthostatic Hypotension, Hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s, Fainting |
|
|
Parasympathetic Excitability Your “rest and digest” mode. Can your body relax and recover? |
Too High |
Over-Relaxed: Drowsiness, chest tightness, excessive saliva/runny nose, frequent urination, loose stools |
IBS, Reflux (GERD), Asthma, Depressive Tendencies, Bradycardia |
|
Too Low |
Unable to Recover: Digestive issues (constipation), dry eyes/mouth, racing heart even at rest, urinary retention |
Functional Dyspepsia, Constipation, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Sleep Disorders |
|
|
Visceral Neural Synergy
Sympathetic-Parasympathetic balance |
Poor Balance |
Out of Sync: Alternating constipation/ diarrhea, dizziness on standing, "wired but tired," emotional mood swings |
Chronic Fatigue, Dysautonomia, Metabolic Syndrome, Anxiety/Depression |
|
Cerebrovascular Perfusion
Blood flow to your brain, crucial for cognitive function and mental clarity |
Too High |
Pressure: Severe headaches, nausea, blurred vision, feeling "pressure" in the head |
Migraines, Hypertensive Crisis, Stroke Risk |
|
Too Low |
Brain Fog: Dizziness, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, visual spots, fainting, gait instability |
Cerebral Ischemia, Chronic Fatigue, Anemia, Hypotension |
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2. Life Sublimating System (Your Heart-Mind Connection)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Heart 心藏
This is where your mental world meets your physical vitality.
What it does: This system integrates two essential functions. First, mentality—encompassing your consciousness, emotions, overall mental clarity, and spiritual activity. This is your capacity for awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance. Second, circulation—ensuring efficient blood and lymphatic flow throughout your body. This system harmonizes your inner psychological world with your physical cardiovascular performance, allowing for a fully realized experience of life.
Why it matters: When this system is balanced, you experience mental clarity, emotional stability, and strong cardiovascular function. You feel both physically energized and mentally present. In TCM philosophy, the heart doesn't just pump blood—it houses your spirit and consciousness.
What we monitor:
|
Indicator |
Status |
What You Might Feel (Symptoms) |
Potential Health Risks |
|
Circadian Rhythm Your natural 24-hour biological clock |
High Amplitude |
The Rollercoaster: Waking up at 3-4 AM, extreme afternoon crash, morning excitement followed by evening depression |
Bipolar Disorder, Diabetes (Dawn Phenomenon), Morning Hypertension |
|
Low Amplitude |
The Flatline: Shallow sleep (waking often), lack of deep sleep, feeling emotionally numb or indifferent |
Early Aging, Alzheimer’s Risk, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver |
|
|
Sleep State Quality and patterns of your sleep |
Insomnia |
Can't Sleep: Difficulty falling asleep (>30 mins), waking frequently, waking too early, daytime fatigue |
Anxiety/Depression, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Thyroid Issues |
|
Hypersomnia |
Sleeping Too Much: Irresistible daytime drowsiness, feeling "drunk" upon waking, brain fog despite long sleep |
Sleep Apnea, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, Chronic Fatigue |
|
|
Mental Status
Your alertness, cognitive clarity, and "mental energy" |
Hyperarousal |
Racing Mind: Impulsive behavior, talking too fast, racing thoughts, easily irritated, restlessness |
Anxiety, ADHD, Hyperthyroidism, Bipolar Disorder |
|
Hypoarousal |
Brain Fog: Slow reactions, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, fatigue, feeling "blank." |
Depression, Chronic Fatigue, Hypothyroidism, Burnout |
|
|
Emotional Stability
How balanced and resilient you are emotionally |
Volatile |
Mood Swings: Sudden shifts from excitement to anger/sadness, emotional fragility, anxiety |
Borderline Personality, PTSD, Anxiety Disorders |
|
Blunted |
Numbness: Lack of pleasure in hobbies, flat emotions, difficulty connecting with others |
Depression, Social Withdrawal, Autism Spectrum Disorder. |
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|
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Heart rhythm irregularities |
Detected |
Skipped Beats: Palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, sudden weakness |
Atrial Fibrillation, Electrolyte Imbalance, Thyroid Dysfunction |
|
Myocardial Contractility
How strongly your heart pumps |
Too High |
Pounding Heart: Strong palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, fatigue |
Hyperthyroidism, Hypertension, Anxiety/Stress |
|
Too Low |
Weak Pump: Wheezing with movement, fatigue, swelling in legs (edema), cold limbs |
Heart Failure, Coronary Heart Disease, Hypothyroidism |
|
|
Cardiac Output
Total blood volume your heart pumps per minute |
Too High |
Overdrive: Fast heart rate (>90bpm), flushed warm skin, easily fatigued, shortness of breath |
Hyperthyroidism, Anemia, Anxiety, High Blood Pressure |
|
Too Low |
Low Flow: Cold hands/feet, low blood pressure, low urine output, confusion, fatigue |
Heart Failure, Dehydration, Shock, Severe Burns/Bleeding |
|
|
Blood Pressure Variability
Fluctuations in blood pressure |
Too High |
Wild Fluctuations: Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, chest pain |
Stroke Risk, Vascular Dementia, Kidney Disease, Sleep Apnea |
|
Too Low |
Rigid/Non-Reactive: Dizziness upon standing up (blacking out), extreme fatigue, cold limbs |
Parkinson’s, Autonomic Failure, Heart Failure, Aging |
|
|
Peripheral Vascular Resistance
Resistance in your blood vessels |
Too High |
Tight Vessels: Neck tightness, cold/pale hands and feet, persistent headache, blurred vision |
Hypertension, Kidney Disease, Stress, Vascular Constriction |
|
Too Low |
Dilated Vessels: Afternoon drowsiness, flushed face after exercise, low blood pressure after meals |
Early Hyperthyroidism, Anemia, Liver Issues, Septic Shock |
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3. Nutrient Supplying System (Your Digestive & Distribution Hub)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Spleen 脾藏
Your body's central processing unit for energy and nutrients.
What it does: While traditionally associated with the "Spleen" in TCM, this system encompasses far more than the anatomical spleen. It orchestrates three vital functions: digestion (breaking down food and absorbing nutrients), metabolite distribution (ensuring nutrients reach every cell through synthesis of carrier substances and efficient transport), and coagulation and anticoagulation (maintaining the delicate balance that prevents both excessive bleeding and dangerous clotting). This system includes your digestive organs, blood vessels, and the complex processes that transform food into usable energy and building blocks for your body.
Why it matters: This is your fuel system. No matter how much you eat, if this system isn't working properly, your body can't access the energy and building blocks it needs. Everything from your energy levels to your immune function depends on efficient nutrient distribution. The balance of blood thickness is particularly crucial—too thick causes circulation problems; too thin causes bleeding issues.
What we monitor:
|
Indicator |
Status |
What You Might Feel (Symptoms) |
Potential Health Risks |
|
Blood Viscocity The thickness and flow characteristics of your blood |
Too High |
Sluggish Flow: Dizziness, limb numbness, headaches, afternoon drowsiness, blurred vision |
High Cholesterol, Diabetes, Clotting Risks, Hypertension |
|
Too Low |
Deficient Flow: Pale complexion, constant fatigue, palpitations, easy bruising/bleeding, fainting |
Anemia, Nutritional Deficiencies, Bleeding Disorders |
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4. Oxygen Supplying System (Your Breathing Engine)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Lung 肺藏
Life begins with breath—and this system keeps that vital flow going.
What it does: This system's primary function is respiration, which encompasses both the mechanical aspects of breathing (pulmonary ventilation—how air moves in and out) and the critical exchange of gases (alveolar gas exchange—where oxygen enters your blood and carbon dioxide is expelled). It includes your respiratory tract, lungs, the muscles that power breathing, and even your skin, all working together to ensure your body receives vital oxygen and efficiently removes waste gases.
Why it matters: Oxygen is the spark that ignites energy production in every cell. Without optimal oxygen delivery, everything slows down—your energy, your mental clarity, even your ability to heal and recover. This system must maintain steady, rhythmic function to keep your entire body fueled.
What we monitor:
|
Indicator |
Status |
What You Might Feel (Symptoms) |
Potential Health Risks |
|
Respiratory Rhythm The regularity, frequency, and depth of your breathing patterns |
Irregular |
Disordered Breathing: Frequent sighing, alternating deep/shallow breaths, shortness of breath, daytime sleepiness. |
Sleep Apnea (OSA), Asthma, COPD, Anxiety Disorders |
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5. Life Generating System (Your Vitality Foundation)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Kidney 肾藏
The cornerstone of your long-term health and vitality.
What it does: Often considered the "root of life" in TCM, this is your body's master regulator, orchestrating six fundamental functions:
1. Reproduction — Ensuring the continuity of life through reproductive capacity
2. Somatic Maintenance — Repairing and rebuilding your body at the cellular level, including immune function
3. Energy Metabolism — Managing your body's fuel efficiency and energy production
4. Physical Activity — Powering your movement and maintaining muscle strength
5. Urination — Regulating fluid balance and waste elimination
6. Humoral Regulation — Balancing hormones and chemical signaling molecules
Why it matters: This system determines your overall constitutional strength, longevity, and resilience. It's your body's deep energy reservoir, governing everything from how well you recover from illness to how you age. When this system is strong, you have robust vitality; when depleted, you may feel fundamentally exhausted.
What we monitor:
|
Indicator |
Status |
What You Might Feel (Symptoms) |
Potential Health Risks |
|
Body Weight Gives insights into metabolic balance |
Too High |
Metabolic Overload: Sleepiness after meals, snoring, joint pain, abdominal obesity, high blood sugar |
Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension |
|
Too Low |
Depletion: Muscle weakness, feeling cold, hair loss, frequent infections, dry skin/hair |
Osteoporosis, Immune Deficiency, Hormonal Imbalances, Chronic Diarrhea |
|
|
Energy Metabolism Whether you're burning energy too fast or too slow |
Too High |
Burning Too Fast: Weight loss despite eating, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, irritability, anxiety |
Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes Complications, Severe Infection |
|
Too Low |
Burning Too Slow: Unexplained weight gain, cold hands/feet, hair loss, brittle nails, puffiness/swelling, constipation |
Hypothyroidism, Adrenal Fatigue, Early Aging, Chronic Kidney Disease |
|
|
Nocturnal Urinary Frequency How often you wake to urinate |
Nocturia |
Disrupted Sleep: Waking >1 time per night to urinate, thirst at night, swelling in legs |
Prostate Issues, Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Heart Failure |
How These Systems Work Together: The Orchestra of Health
Here's where it gets powerful: these five systems don't work in isolation—they form an intricate, self-regulating network.
Imagine a finely tuned orchestra:
🎵 The Nutrient Supplying System provides raw fuel for all other systems to function.
🎵 The Oxygen Supplying System delivers the oxygen needed to metabolize that fuel and energize everything.
🎵 The Life Generating System provides the fundamental life force, hormones, and deep energy reserves that guide growth, repair, and vitality.
🎵 The Life Harmony System acts as the conductor, ensuring smooth communication and adaptation across all systems.
🎵 The Life Sublimating System integrates your physical processes with your mental and emotional states, while its circulation function delivers nutrients and oxygen everywhere they're needed.
Real-Life Example: The Stress Cascade
1. It starts in the Life Harmony System (TCM Liver): You go through a stressful week. Your "Conductor" gets stuck in overdrive (High Sympathetic Excitability).
2. It spreads to the Life Sublimating System (TCM Heart): Your mind races, you can't fall asleep, and your heart rate variability drops.
3. It impacts the Nutrient Supplying System (TCM Spleen): With your rhythm thrown off, your digestion slows down. You experience bloating or poor appetite, and your blood viscosity changes.
4. It reaches the Oxygen Supplying System (TCM Lung): Without proper nutrients, your breathing becomes shallow and irregular, depriving your brain of oxygen.
5. It drains the Life Generating System (TCM Kidney): With oxygen and nutrients depleted, you feel fundamentally exhausted and "burned out."
Suddenly, you're dealing with insomnia, digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety—all from one system falling out of balance.
This is exactly what the Five Functional Systems Framework helps you catch early, before symptoms cascade.
From Theory to Practice: Meet Watch2Care Vital
Understanding these systems intellectually is valuable. But what if you could see your body's functional balance in real-time? What if you could catch imbalances before they become symptoms?
That's why we created Watch2Care Vital.
The World's First Smartwatch Designed for Functional Systems Monitoring.
Watch2Care Vital isn't just another fitness tracker counting steps and calories. It's a sophisticated health monitoring system that:
📊 Provides Digital Pulse Analysis. Using advanced 100Hz PPG (photoplethysmography) technology, Watch2Care Vital captures precise biometric data that reveals the state of your functional systems—moving beyond subjective traditional pulse readings to objective, measurable insights.
🤖 Delivers AI-Powered Daily Health Reports. Our proprietary AI algorithm, trained on over 9 million clinical cases and data from 300,000+ global users, analyzes your biometrics through the lens of the Five Functional Systems. Each day, you receive:
- Individual scores for each of your five systems
- A composite health score
- Personalized recommendations to restore balance
- Early warnings about potential imbalances
⏰ Monitors You Continuously, 24/7. Unlike periodic health checks, Watch2Care Vital tracks your vital signs around the clock, capturing patterns that emerge throughout your day and night—ensuring accurate insights and real-time health alerts.
The Science Behind the Innovation
This isn't just ancient philosophy or wellness trends—it's rigorously validated modern health technology:
✓ 9+ million clinical cases analyzed to train our AI algorithm
✓ 300,000+ global users providing real-world validation
✓ Developed by leading experts from top research institutions across China, Hong Kong, and the United States
✓ Bridges 2,000+ years of TCM wisdom with contemporary biometric science
Watch2Care Vital is targeted at preventive healthcare—designed to help you understand your body better and make informed lifestyle choices. It's not a replacement for medical diagnosis or treatment, but a powerful tool for maintaining balance and catching potential issues early.
Your Journey to Balanced Health Starts Here
Imagine waking up each morning and knowing exactly which systems need attention. Imagine understanding why you feel the way you do—and having clear, actionable steps to improve your wellbeing.
That's the power of understanding your Five Functional Systems.
Join the Preventive Health Revolution
300,000+ users worldwide are already monitoring their Five Functional Systems.
Stop guessing about your health. Start understanding your body's unique balance.
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About the Five Functional Systems Framework
This framework was developed through collaborative research by distinguished experts including Prof. Zhang Qi Ming (China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), Prof. Du Jiefu (Chinese PLA General Hospital), Prof. Chris Chan Kam Wa (Hong Kong Baptist University), Prof. Gary Lau (HKU Stroke), and Prof. Hui Ka Kit (UCLA Center for East-West Medicine). Their mission: to create a unified language for understanding health that honors traditional wisdom while meeting modern scientific standards.
Stay tuned for future articles where we will delve deeper into the specific indicators and how you can assess your own functional health, guiding you on your journey towards a more balanced and vibrant life.