Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Are detox juices or cleanse diets currently trending safe to try? Do you recommend them?
In short, following these trends blindly without knowing your current health status can be risky. While it may help some detox, it can actually deplete the vital energy of those already weakened. A 'customized cleansing' approach tailored to your specific constitution and organ function is essential.
To be honest, I once blindly followed a popular cleanse method myself. After a few days, I felt lighter, but then I suddenly experienced dizziness and a sharp drop in concentration at work. Even as a practitioner of Korean Medicine, I made a mistake.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), indiscriminately fasting or restricting your diet to specific foods is viewed as risky. It is important to approach cleansing from the following perspectives:
1. Removal of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮): One must first clear 'Dam-eum,' the unnecessary waste products accumulated in the body. Waste is not removed simply by starving; the excretion pathways must be opened first.
2. Checking for Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛): Performing a cleanse while in a state of 'Bi-heo' (weak spleen function) can make the digestive organs colder. This can lower your basal metabolic rate, potentially making it harder to lose weight.
3. Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血): Those with significant 'Eo-hyeol' (stagnant blood due to poor circulation) may react sensitively to sudden dietary changes, experiencing severe headaches or lethargy.
4. Preserving Vital Energy (Qi): Filling is just as important as emptying. You must supplement deficient energy while removing toxins to achieve healthy weight loss without a yo-yo effect.
What works for others may not be right for your body. I recommend first identifying your current energy levels and where waste has accumulated before proceeding. Let's work together to find the safest method for you.