다이어트 기초·원인 이해
Q. I've been trying my best to stick to a diet, so why am I not losing weight? I'd like to know the reason.
A.
Weight loss plateaus despite calorie restriction often occur due to decreased metabolic efficiency. From a Western medical perspective, excessive fasting leads to a lower basal metabolic rate and reduced energy expenditure. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is viewed as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo), a state where the body's ability to digest, absorb, and transport nutrients is impaired, causing the body to store energy rather than utilize it.
📝 Detailed Answer
Many people try extreme fasting, only to find that they begin to bloat and feel chronically exhausted even after eating very little. This happens because the body enters an 'energy-saving mode' to survive prolonged starvation, lowering thyroid hormone levels and the basal metabolic rate, which ultimately makes you more prone to gaining weight.
In TKM, this condition is referred to as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo). When the functional capacity of the Spleen is weakened, the body struggles to convert food into usable energy. This leads to the accumulation of metabolic waste and fluids, known as Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum). An excess of Dam-eum obstructs the circulation of Qi and Blood, resulting in a heavy feeling in the body and severe edema.
If this is further compounded by Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol)—a condition where blood flow is stagnant—the metabolic rate slows down even further. Ultimately, the problem is not just 'what you eat,' but 'how your body burns' that energy. Rather than blindly restricting calories, it is essential to 'flip the metabolic switch' back on. I recommend a personalized strategy to assess your current metabolic state and restore your body's natural balance.
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Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director