I eat chicken breast every day as part of my diet, but why do I feel more bloated and experience indigestion on certain days?
This is a typical reaction when a protein-heavy diet does not align with your body's current digestive capacity. The process follows a pattern: [Decreased digestive efficiency] → [Accumulation of undigested protein residues] → [Build-up of metabolic waste and edema]. While Western medicine notes that excessive protein can strain the liver and kidneys, Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) explains that high protein intake without sufficient digestive strength easily leads to the formation of 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention).
Many people experience digestive distress when strictly adhering to a chicken-breast-heavy diet, often feeling an overwhelming sense of heaviness and indigestion. For the body to function optimally, food must be properly broken down and converted into energy. However, if you consistently consume dense proteins while your digestive power is low, undigested residues accumulate. In TKM, this is referred to as 'Dameum' (痰飮), which represents abnormal metabolic waste products within the body.
Individuals with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or Spleen Deficiency, should be particularly cautious. This condition refers to a weakened Spleen function, which impairs the body's ability to absorb and transport nutrients. When someone with Spleen Deficiency forces a high-protein diet, the undigested protein can mingle with 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis)—stagnant blood that clouds the circulation—causing the body to feel heavier and more prone to edema (swelling).
Ultimately, the core of a successful diet is not just 'what you eat,' but 'how well your body processes it.' Rather than forcing a rigid meal plan, it is essential to adjust your intake based on your current digestive state. I recommend first assessing your current digestive capacity to determine a sustainable dietary balance.
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