Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I've heard that everyone has a different constitution. How can I find out the specific reason why I'm gaining weight?
Weight gain is often not a simple matter of eating less and moving more. It is essential to first examine your 'internal environment,' including the accumulation of metabolic waste, digestive function, and the flow of Qi. I analyze patients using a checklist based on three primary perspectives; comparing these to your daily condition will provide helpful insights.
Having spent years focused solely on my studies while neglecting my own health, I once tried various popular weight-loss methods only to find they didn't work for me. Because I have experienced that frustration firsthand, I truly understand how discouraging it can be.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), obesity is not viewed simply as a matter of caloric intake, but as a result of stagnant substances and diminished bodily functions. You can estimate your type using the following checklist:
✓ [Metabolic Waste Accumulation Type]: Do you often feel heavy or suffer from severe swelling?
- This is often attributed to an excess of Dam-eum (痰飮, phlegm-fluid), which refers to unnecessary fluids and waste accumulated in the body. When metabolism is sluggish, energy is not utilized and instead accumulates as fat.
✓ [Poor Blood Circulation Type]: Are specific parts of your body cold, or is your complexion dull?
- This may be caused by Eo-hyeol (瘀血, blood stasis), or stagnant blood. When circulation is impaired, nutrients fail to reach the tissues, and waste products build up, creating a constitution where weight loss is difficult.
✓ [Digestive and Metabolic Deficiency Type]: Do you feel bloated after eating very little or tire easily?
- This is viewed as Bi-heo (脾虛), a deficiency in Spleen function. When the body's ability to convert nutrients into energy weakens, it tends to store more fat as a survival mechanism.
The key is identifying why your body is currently in 'storage mode.' If you simply starve yourself without knowing the cause, your body perceives it as an emergency, making you highly susceptible to the yo-yo effect. When you visit the clinic, we will determine your exact condition through pulse diagnosis and a detailed medical interview.