Q. What is the difference between over-the-counter diet supplements, like diet probiotics, and weight loss programs at a Korean medicine clinic?

Many people start with popular supplements because they are accessible, but since every individual's body reacts differently, a general supplement may not address the root cause of weight gain. Probiotics are excellent helpers for maintaining a healthy gut environment, but they cannot treat the underlying physiological imbalances that hinder weight loss. In Traditional Korean Medicine, we don't simply prescribe 'eating less and moving more.' Instead, we analyze why your body is retaining weight. For instance, some patients suffer from severe edema due to Blood Stasis (瘀血, Eohyeol)—a condition where blood flow is congested. Others may have a sluggish metabolism caused by Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮, Dameum), which is the accumulation of metabolic waste. Furthermore, those with Spleen Deficiency (脾虛, Biheo) have weakened digestive functions; for them, extreme fasting can lead to a loss of vital energy and ironically make the body more prone to gaining weight. If supplements are for 'general health maintenance,' a TKM prescription is a process of 'repairing the broken parts of your internal system.' By identifying and clearing the specific blockages in your metabolism, the efficiency of weight management increases significantly. If you are curious about your current constitutional state, we invite you to visit us for a personalized consultation.