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Basics & Causes
Basics & Causes

Q. You recommend sandwiches like Subway for a diet; how exactly does this help me lose weight?

A.

The core principle lies in 'blood glucose management' and 'nutritional balance.' By choosing bread low in refined carbohydrates and adding plenty of fresh vegetables, you prevent glucose spikes. When insulin secretion is suppressed, body fat accumulation decreases and metabolic efficiency naturally increases, creating an optimal environment for your body to burn fat effectively.

📝 Detailed Answer

In the past, I used to skip proper meals and eat convenience store bread or cup noodles when I was busy, and I remember feeling incredibly sluggish. That's when I realized that managing blood glucose levels is just as critical as what you eat. From a modern medical perspective, refined flour causes blood sugar to spike, triggering an overproduction of insulin, which leads directly to the accumulation of body fat. Conversely, eating whole-grain bread and fiber-rich vegetables flattens the glucose curve, significantly enhancing fat burning. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view this through the concept of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, Phlegm-Fluid Retention). Dam-eum is a type of metabolic waste created when fluid metabolism is impaired; consuming excessive refined sugars and flour exacerbates this accumulation. This eventually obstructs the circulation of Qi and Blood, leading to edema and a constitution that is resistant to weight loss. Particularly for those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency/Impaired Digestive Function), extreme fasting is counterproductive. Instead, it is priority to wake up the metabolism by consuming balanced nutrients. This is the only way to lose weight healthily without experiencing the yo-yo effect. Since the ideal vegetables and sauces vary depending on an individual's constitution—whether you have an excess of Dam-eum or are in a state of Bi-heo—tailoring your diet to your specific body type is far more efficient. If you are curious about your own constitution, please visit the clinic so we can analyze it together.
#cause-explanation #cause-chain
Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Expert Verified

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Chief Director

Last reviewed 2026.05.13

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