I have seen many patients who, in an attempt to build muscle, strictly followed a chicken breast diet only to suffer from severe indigestion. While protein is essential for muscle maintenance, it is only effective when your 'digestive engine' is running smoothly. In Traditional Korean Medicine, we refer to this weakened state of the digestive system as 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛). If you force-feed protein into a weakened engine, the undigested residues accumulate and turn into toxins known as 'Phlegm-rheum' (痰飮). If you feel heavy or bloated despite dieting, this is likely the cause. While conventional dieting focuses on 'what to eat less of' (input), TKM investigates 'why the body cannot burn energy' (output). We focus on clearing 'Blood Stasis' (瘀血)—stagnant or turbid blood—and metabolic waste to flip your metabolic switch back on. Think of a protein diet as providing external materials, while TKM weight loss is the process of repairing and restarting your body’s internal factory. If you naturally suffer from poor digestion or tend to swell easily, the priority should be regulating your body's 'Qi' (vital energy) and improving your constitution rather than just restricting calories. I recommend a consultation to check the current status of your internal 'engine' before starting a rigorous regimen.