Q. I've heard a lot about the trendy 'hamburger diet' lately. How does it actually differ from a weight loss program at a Korean medicine clinic?

Even as a practitioner, I once tried to lose weight by grabbing hamburgers between appointments, only to end up exhausted with a ruined digestion. While hamburgers make nutrient tracking easy, the processed ingredients and excessive sodium eventually hinder progress. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view this as a cause of Phlegm-rheum (痰飮)—waste products from disrupted fluid metabolism that make the body resistant to weight loss regardless of intake. TKM diet programs prioritize addressing Spleen Deficiency (脾虛). When the digestive system’s 'Qi' is weak, the body fails to utilize energy and instead stores it as fat. We strengthen this function to create an environment where the body naturally burns fat. Furthermore, resolving Blood Stasis (瘀血) improves circulation and alleviates edema, making the body feel lighter and more energized. My goal is not just to change the number on the scale, but to help you regain a more vibrant daily life. Choosing between a convenient path and a healthy one can be difficult; I suggest we examine your current digestion and energy levels together to find a sustainable approach.