Doctor, how do obesity medications actually work, and why exactly do they cause weight loss?
In simple terms, most obesity medications work by sending 'fullness' signals to the brain to suppress appetite or by slowing down gastrointestinal motility to prolong satiety. By reducing caloric intake through the appetite control center, the body creates an energy deficit, which naturally leads to the burning of stored body fat.
This is a question I grappled with extensively during my own studies. While the theory is clear, applying it to a living body often results in side effects like dizziness, and I fully empathize with the frustration of those experiencing such issues.
Modern medicine typically employs hormone regulation to 'trick' the brain. In contrast, Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) does not merely aim to eliminate appetite but seeks the fundamental cause of why one continues to overeat.
A key concept here is 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency). When the Spleen's function is weakened, the absorption and transportation of nutrients become inefficient, leaving behind metabolic waste. This waste accumulates as 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention), which hinders metabolism. When this intertwines with 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis or stagnant blood), the body transforms into a constitution where weight loss becomes significantly harder.
Forcing appetite suppression through medication alone can further exhaust organs already in a state of Spleen Deficiency. Therefore, my approach focuses on enhancing metabolic capacity first to create a body that can 'burn on its own.' Rather than indiscriminate fasting, we must first fix the body's broken metabolic switches. I will examine your specific constitution in detail during our consultation.
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