Why are there so many different diet methods, and why do Korean medicine clinics check my constitution and physical condition first?
Simply 'eating less and moving more' has its limits. When metabolic rates drop and waste accumulates, you enter a vicious cycle where willpower alone isn't enough to lose weight. While Western medicine refers to this as hormonal imbalance or metabolic syndrome, Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) views it as stagnant Qi and Blood circulation and diminished visceral organ function. Therefore, the most critical first step is identifying and clearing the specific 'blockages' unique to each individual.
Many people attempt extreme fasting, only to experience dizziness and a drop in productivity. Based on clinical experience, the core of weight loss lies in 'combustion efficiency.'
In TKM, when metabolic by-products accumulate, it is called 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention). This is a state where sticky waste, similar to phlegm, lingers between blood vessels and tissues. In this state, regardless of how little you eat, energy efficiency remains low, leading to rapid exhaustion and a body that tends to store fat more readily.
If this is compounded by 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis)—stagnant blood circulation—the feeling of heaviness and edema becomes much more pronounced. Particularly for those with 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency), where the digestive function is weakened, a vicious cycle occurs where nutrients aren't absorbed properly, but toxins continue to build up.
Therefore, the process must follow this sequence: [Recovery of Visceral Organ Function → Improvement of Qi and Blood Circulation → Natural Activation of Metabolism]. This allows the body to transition into a constitution that utilizes energy efficiently without the need for excessive starving.
The reason weight loss feels harder for some than others varies by individual. The fastest path to success is identifying where your specific bodily stagnation lies and resolving it together.
Clinician review