Why do diet pills or supplements cause side effects like heart palpitations and hand tremors?
Common diet supplements artificially stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to mimic a state of intense exercise, essentially borrowing energy from your body's internal reserves. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this state of exhaustion is diagnosed as Qi Deficiency (氣虛). When the body lacks the vitality to properly discharge waste, Phlegm-fluid (痰飮) accumulates, eventually altering the constitution so that one gains weight more easily even with minimal food intake.
Many weight-loss medications work by hyperactivating the sympathetic nervous system, forcing the heart to beat faster and generating heat to burn calories. While this creates a sense of 'artificial vitality,' it puts an immense strain on your internal organs by depleting your deep energy reserves. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this repetitive strain leads to a state of Spleen Deficiency (脾虛). When Spleen functionality is compromised, the body cannot effectively transform nutrients into energy, leaving behind metabolic waste known as Phlegm-fluid (痰飮). Furthermore, if circulation stagnates, it can lead to Blood Stasis (瘀血), which further lowers metabolic efficiency. This is the primary reason for the 'yo-yo effect,' where the body begins to store fat more aggressively once the medication is stopped. I have personally experienced these symptoms to the point where I could barely perform acupuncture due to trembling hands—it is a serious SOS signal from your body. Rather than simply suppressing appetite or overstimulating the nervous system, we must look at why your energy flow is blocked. True, sustainable weight loss should focus on restoring your body's natural balance rather than depleting its fundamental essence.
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