Q. Which one would suit me best: a high-protein diet, Western weight-loss medication, or a Korean medicine diet? I'm curious about the differences.

Most people focus solely on what to eat or how much to starve themselves. However, in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we first investigate the fundamental reason why the body is retaining weight. Many patients in my clinic are frustrated because they gain weight or stay the same even when eating very little. This phenomenon is often caused by 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency). When the Spleen's transport and transformation functions decline, energy circulation becomes stagnant, and metabolic waste called 'Dam-eum' (Phlegm-retained fluid) accumulates. When this waste fills the body, even eating a light salad can leave you feeling heavy and swollen. While Western weight-loss drugs act as a 'brake' to forcibly suppress appetite, a TKM diet acts more like an 'accelerator' to restart a failing metabolic engine. Specifically, if there is 'Eo-hyeol' (Blood Stasis)—where blood does not flow smoothly—metabolism drops significantly. TKM herbal medicine clears away 'Dam-eum' and 'Eo-hyeol,' guiding the body to burn energy on its own. The start of a successful diet is identifying whether your body isn't losing weight because it is 'Empty' (Deficient) or 'Blocked' (Stagnant). It is my role to examine your 'Che-jil' (Constitution) thoroughly and find the most sustainable path to health without overtaxing your system.