Reviewed by최연승대표원장
After dieting, I always experience yo-yo effect. Are there methods in Traditional Korean Medicine to prevent yo-yo? I'm curious about how to approach it step by step.
Yo-yo effect can be frustrating. In TKM, we approach it in three stages. First 1–2 weeks: constitution diagnosis and herbal medicine to stabilize spleen function. Next 1–2 months: address spleen deficiency (pi xu) to restore basal metabolism. From month 3 onward: correct lifestyle habits so weight maintenance becomes natural. Each stage respects your body's pace.
People with repeated yo-yo dieting often share a common pattern: spleen deficiency (pi xu), meaning weakened spleen function. The spleen governs absorption of qi from food and regulates water metabolism; extreme dieting further impairs it, leading to phlegm-fluid (tanyin) accumulation and easy weight regain. In our clinic, we proceed by time phases. During weeks 1–2, we assess your constitution through pulse and tongue diagnosis, then prescribe herbs tailored to your pi xu and tanyin state. You may notice easier digestion and less bloating. Weeks 3–8 focus on reinforcing spleen function to restore basal metabolic rate—not rapid weight loss, but stable energy metabolism. Most patients feel less fatigued and find appetite control easier by then. After month 3, we correct lifestyle patterns such as late dinners or intermittent stress, which can worsen pi xu. Although individual results vary and no method guarantees zero yo-yo, focusing on constitutional improvement leads to natural, lasting change.