Let's Go Deeper
Are you struggling with diet/weight management? You might have heard that if you just repeat the same meals as before, you'll quickly return to your previous weight. But what's really frustrating is that it's not just about eating less - it's because your body's rhythm has been disrupted.
It's Not a Matter of Willpower, But Your Body's Signal
Among those reading this, there are actually many cases where the weight gained after childbirth doesn't come off even after a year, or where the body doesn't change at all despite eating small portions and avoiding social gatherings. You might be one of them, right?
Have you ever tried various weight management methods only to give up, saying 'It doesn't work for me' when faced with stomach pain or indigestion? This guide isn't just about simple weight loss - it aims to explore the fundamental reasons why our bodies become stubbornly stuck in a state of obesity (fatness).
What We'll Explore Together
We won't be giving simplistic advice like 'Just eat less and you'll lose weight.' From the perspective of Korean medicine's Byeonjeung (syndrome differentiation) system, we'll take a deep look at the latest obesity treatment methods in Korean medicine, what makes them different, and what effects they actually produce in clinical practice.
Which Groups Are Searching for This?
Many people who open the door to the truth room and come in show signs of chronic fatigue that cannot be hidden. Particularly, women in their late 30s to 40s show the most concern and come seeking help.
Scenario 1: Office Workers in Their 30s - 'Nighttime and Weekend Type'
These are typically people with high work intensity, such as those working in public relations or marketing. After work, they often relieve stress with food or alcohol, but when they look in the mirror, they notice edema (swelling) in their face and hands. Even when they try to start exercising, they often feel too exhausted to begin because their body is already depleted.
Scenario 2: Housewives in Their 40s - 'Postpartum and Metabolic Syndrome Type'
These are women who, after childbirth, find themselves in a state where they can't return to their pre-pregnancy weight even after several years. They often ask, "Doctor, I eat the same as before pregnancy, so why am I gaining weight?" This is because their basal metabolic rate has significantly decreased. They are particularly concerned about swelling in their face or legs and often seek Korean medicine diet treatments.
Scenario 3: People in Their 20s - 'Yo-yo and Medication Side Effects Type'
These are people who have experienced side effects like hand tremors and dizziness after taking strong diet medications. Even after stopping the medication, their metabolism explodes, leaving them heavier than before. For these individuals, even if they try to lose weight through extreme methods, they need a systematic approach to gradually normalize their metabolism.
Why Do Such Things Happen? — The Perspective of Korean Medicine
In Korean medicine, obesity is defined as a state of imbalance in the body's energy metabolism and the disharmony of the spleen and stomach. However, behind this definition lies a very complex hormonal system.
The Mechanism of Hormones and Fat
Our bodies have hormones that make us feel full—leptin—and hormones that make us feel hungry—ghrelin. When the state of obesity continues, 'leptin resistance' occurs, where the brain cannot properly recognize leptin signals. Even when the stomach is full, the reason we continue to want to eat is not due to a lack of willpower but because the brain's signaling system has become desensitized.
The Reality of Weight-Loss Medications
Recently, GLP-1 agonists (e.g., Saxenda, Wegovy) have become popular. They work by mimicking hormones secreted in the gut to increase satiety and delay gastric emptying. However, the following medications require caution:
- Phentermine: Suppresses appetite by stimulating the central nervous system but can cause insomnia, abdominal pain, and cardiovascular risks.
- Orlistat: Inhibits fat absorption but can lead to uncomfortable side effects like fatty stool.
- Yo-yo effect: Weight lost through medication often returns as a rebound phenomenon once the medication is stopped, leading to psychological stress.
Ultimately, there is a view that methods that artificially adjust hormones from the outside or suppress appetite cannot fundamentally increase the body's metabolic efficiency.
Why Does That Happen? — A Korean Medicine Perspective
In Korean medicine, obesity is not simply viewed as a state of 'excess fat' but rather as a sign that our body's metabolic system is in a state of imbalance. When organ functions decline, waste accumulates in the body, which is referred to as dampness (痰飮) or stagnation (瘀血).
1. Spleen Deficiency Type (脾虛濕盛型)
This refers to a condition where the spleen (脾臟), responsible for digestion, is weakened. Nutrients cannot be properly distributed and instead accumulate as 'dampness.' People in this category often feel tired despite eating well and may not lose weight easily. Without addressing the spleen deficiency (脾虛), no matter how much they diet, the weight won't come off easily.
2. Stomach Heat Type (胃熱型)
This type is characterized by excessive heat in the stomach, leading to an abnormally strong appetite. They tend to prefer cold foods and drinks and have frequent bowel movements. In this case, it's important to cool the stomach heat naturally to help regulate appetite.
3. Liver Qi Stagnation Type (肝氣鬱結型)
This is very common among modern people and is essentially stress-induced obesity. When the liver (肝)'s energy cannot flow freely, it affects the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms include a feeling of tightness in the chest, premenstrual syndrome, and a tendency to relieve stress through eating.
As shown above, Korean medicine approaches weight management by identifying patterns (辨證) to understand why your body is storing energy instead of burning it. It's not just about simple calorie counting but about finding the root cause of the imbalance in organ function.
Quick but Dangerous Methods and Their Risks
When it comes to diet/weight management, we tend to make extreme and radical choices. But did you know that such 'shortcuts' actually make our bodies more vulnerable and lead to rebound weight gain?
Crash dieting and one-meal-a-day
Eating less than 500kcal per day will of course make you lose weight quickly. However, our body recognizes this as a 'state of emergency'. To preserve energy, it enters a 'starvation mode' where it lowers the basal metabolic rate (BMR). But look around - haven't you seen people who eat almost nothing yet still gain weight?
Excessive high-intensity exercise
"If you want to lose weight, you have to run!" Many people push themselves to the point of exhaustion. However, unprepared exercise in an overheated state can cause serious injuries and joint problems. Moreover, the intense hunger that follows exercise can lead to overeating, ultimately resulting in even more calorie intake.
Over-the-counter diet/weight management supplements
Products like Garcinia Cambogia or Baekrok Gambi-hwan may only have a supplementary effect. Due to their relatively low active ingredient content, they often fail to break through already established fat patterns. Indiscriminate use without considering one's physical condition can cause liver damage, so caution is advised.
Approach to Baekrokdam
At Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we pursue a paradigm shift in solving obesity that is more sophisticated than the complex physical classifications, unlike the common modern approach to obesity treatment.
Baekrok Gambi-jung: An Effective Korean Medicine Prescription
The era when stubborn obesity was treated like a criminal has passed. We have maximized the convenience of taking Baekrok Gambi-jung, which is a traditional Korean medicine formula that helps with digestion and warming the body. Here, the ephedrine component of Ephedra (Mahuang) is optimally balanced to suppress heat generation in the body and create an environment conducive to exercise and weight management. Additionally, by applying the principle of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng Tongshengsan), we actively promote the discharge of toxins and waste products from the body through sweating and urination.
The Signal for Korean Medicine Diet
If you have stubborn fat in specific areas, such as the lower abdomen or inner thighs, Korean medicine diet is a good solution. It promotes the activation of fat decomposition by warming the affected area and improves blood circulation. The effect is particularly noticeable when you feel the warmth in the stubborn fat areas that are difficult to reduce.
Reconstruction of Eating Habits
Don't force yourself to starve. With the help of Korean medicine, gradually adjust your eating habits naturally, and you'll find that your stomach capacity decreases. The key is to create a state where 'even if you eat, you don't gain weight' during the treatment period. This way, even after stopping the treatment, you can maintain your weight without much effort, as your body has established a new baseline.
Points to Consider and Be Cautious About
Are you currently in a state where you need help with Korean medicine diet? If you identify with three or more of the following items, it may indicate that your body's metabolic function has significantly declined.
- When you wake up in the morning, your hands and feet are swollen and you don't feel refreshed.
- After meals, you experience bloating that you can't control.
- When you're stressed, you crave greasy or sweet foods.
- Even with moderate activity, you get tired easily and sweat a lot.
- You feel bloated even after eating regular or small portions.
- You've experienced side effects like nausea or indigestion after taking diet pills or supplements.
However, there are important points to be cautious about. It is absolutely forbidden to take 'diet pills' that are popular on the internet without a doctor's prescription. Since everyone's digestive fire (simhwa) and digestive conditions are different, you must receive a proper diagnosis from a Korean medicine doctor and receive a prescription that matches your body's condition to ensure safety.
Mamuri — Small Steps from Nature
Diet/weight management is not a war with yourself, but a process of understanding and communicating with your body. Don't rush too much. It's not that your will is weak and you failed, but rather that your body's signaling system just needs a little rest.
Starting today, try beginning with drinking one more glass of water than usual before meals. → And if you need more systematic help, feel free to visit us anytime. Even if you're busy, through Korean medicine diet, you can receive sufficient care and find a suitable solution while carrying the concerns of many. We will sincerely support your healthy changes.