Q. I'm told to eat only chicken breast for my diet, but why is it bad if it contains a lot of purines?

Many people mistakenly believe that an extreme focus on protein, such as eating only chicken breast, is the fastest way to lose weight. However, excessive intake of purines can lead to a spike in uric acid levels. In modern medicine, when uric acid accumulates in the blood, it can form needle-like crystals that lodge in the joints, which is the primary cause of gout. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this phenomenon is interpreted through the lens of 'Seup-dam' (습담, phlegm-fluid accumulation). When the Spleen function is weakened (a state known as 'Bi-heo' or Spleen Deficiency), the body's fluid metabolism becomes impaired, allowing metabolic waste to easily accumulate. If this is coupled with 'Eo-hyeol' (어혈, blood stasis)—where the blood becomes turbid and circulation is stagnant—the inflammatory response becomes even more severe. The key is 'balance.' Before indiscriminately increasing protein intake, it is crucial to evaluate whether your body's metabolic capacity can handle it. This is why TKM recommends dietary adjustments tailored to an individual's digestive absorption and excretion abilities rather than a one-size-fits-all restrictive diet. It is safest to assess your current constitution and adjust your intake accordingly.