Q. I'm torn between the popular Keto diet and a Traditional Korean Medicine diet. What are the differences, and which one would be more suitable for me?

The core of the Ketogenic diet is reaching a state of 'Ketosis,' where the body burns fat as its primary fuel. While the rapid initial weight loss is appealing, many patients in our clinic suffer from 'Keto flu'—symptoms like brain fog and lethargy—when carbohydrates are cut too drastically. From my own experience, maintaining a high-fat diet while navigating social obligations is incredibly difficult for those accustomed to a rice-based diet. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), weight gain is viewed not just as a caloric surplus, but as a result of accumulated metabolic waste known as **Dameum** (痰飮, phlegm-fluid) or stagnant blood known as **Eo-hyeol** (瘀血, blood stasis). Particularly for those with **Bi-heo** (脾虛, Spleen Qi Deficiency), the body tends to swell and feel heavy even with moderate food intake. TKM focuses on resolving these internal causes and enhancing metabolic function. | Category | Ketogenic Diet (LCHF) | TKM Weight Loss Program | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Core Principle** | Switching energy source (Glucose to Fat) | Constitution improvement & metabolism boost | | **Dietary Restriction** | Strict carbohydrate restriction | Balanced meals based on Korean diet | | **Key Advantages** | Rapid induction of body fat burning | Long-term health and vitality management | | **Potential Hurdles** | Difficult in social/work settings | Requires consistency in taking herbal medicine | | **TKM Perspective** | Caution against nutrient imbalance | Harmonizing Qi-Blood and Spleen-Stomach | Ultimately, sustainability is the most important factor. No matter how effective a method is, it will lead to the yo-yo effect if it does not fit your lifestyle. It is crucial to first identify why your body swells or why you feel constant hunger. Instead of struggling alone, I invite you to visit the clinic so we can thoroughly examine these root causes together.