Reviewed by최연승대표원장
How can I prevent the yo-yo effect after dieting? Is the approach different in Traditional Korean Medicine?
Yes, in Traditional Korean Medicine, the yo-yo effect is not seen as simple weight regain but as due to 'spleen deficiency (biheo)' and 'phlegm-fluid retention (dameum).' When spleen function weakens, water metabolism becomes disordered, leading to a constitution that easily gains weight. I personally experienced repeated yo-yo effects from starvation diets. So the first 1–2 weeks focus on stabilizing digestive function, and after about a month you'll feel energy returning. After 2 months, the body finds a new balance and yo-yo worries diminish. It's not about drastic reduction but changing the body's metabolic baseline.
Looking at patients who experience the yo-yo effect after dieting, a common pattern is 'spleen deficiency (biheo).' The spleen is the organ that transforms food into qi and blood; when its function declines due to excessive dietary control or medication, fluids and waste are not properly excreted and accumulate in the body. In TKM this is called 'phlegm-fluid retention (dameum),' which leads to weight regain or edema. At our Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we approach yo-yo prevention in a time-sequential manner. The first 1–2 weeks are the stage of strengthening the 'spleen-stomach (biwi).' At this time, it is important to use herbal medicine that aids digestion and maintain a consistent meal rhythm. Do not suddenly reduce intake; adjust slowly to avoid stressing the stomach. From weeks 3–4, you will gradually feel energy returning and the body becoming lighter. During this period, we add prescriptions to resolve 'blood stasis (eoha)' and 'phlegm-fluid (dameum)' to improve circulation. The period between one and two months is most critical. It is the time when the body's 'sense of balance' returns, so starting excessive exercise or dieting again can be counterproductive. I tell patients, 'Let the body wait for the strength to regulate itself.' After about three months, the spleen deficiency state improves, and appetite and metabolic rate naturally stabilize. Of course, individual differences exist, but the key is to address the root cause of repeated yo-yo effects. It is not about drug-dependent weight loss, but about restoring body function so that it maintains weight on its own.