As a practitioner of Korean Medicine, I have personally experienced the cycle of relying on trendy diet foods, only to find myself feeling lethargic and dizzy despite the initial weight loss. This highlights a crucial point: the cause of weight gain varies from person to person. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we prioritize removing metabolic waste products—specifically 'Dameum' (痰飮, abnormal fluid accumulation) and 'Eohyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis)—rather than simply restricting calories. For instance, those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen deficiency/weak digestive function) may actually experience a further drop in metabolism if they fast indiscriminately, potentially making them more prone to weight gain in the long run. Here is a brief comparison of the two approaches: | Category | General/Diet Product Diet | TKM Diet | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Core Principle | Reducing intake and substitution | Metabolic activation and constitutional improvement | | Approach | Application of universal guidelines | 1:1 personalized prescription | | Primary Target | Appetite suppression and calorie cutting | Removal of waste products (Dameum, Eohyeol) | | Physical Response | Potential hunger and loss of energy | Adjusted based on individual constitution | | Sustainability | Heavily dependent on willpower | Combined with restoration of bodily balance | Ultimately, it is not a matter of which method is 'better,' but which one suits your current state. It is important to determine whether your 'metabolic switch' is currently turned off or if the issue is simply related to dietary habits.