Q. I've been drinking only low-calorie drinks from Mega Coffee to lose weight. How does a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) clinic view this kind of diet?

Many people start their weight loss journey by strictly sticking to chicken breast, salads, and iced Americanos. While the number on the scale may drop initially, this often leads to a sudden loss of energy and dizziness. From a TKM perspective, this type of restrictive diet can easily lead to 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). When the function of the Spleen—the organ responsible for transformation and transportation—is weakened, the body's efficiency in converting food into energy drops. This is often why patients find themselves wondering, 'Why am I not losing weight even though I'm eating so little?' For sustainable and healthy weight loss, a stepped approach is recommended: First, we must address 'Dam-eum' (痰飮), which refers to the accumulation of unnecessary fluids and metabolic waste. When Dam-eum is prevalent, you are more likely to hit a weight-loss plateau quickly. Second, it is essential to resolve 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis) to improve circulation. Only when nutrients are delivered efficiently to every cell can the efficiency of fat burning be maximized. Third, manage the temperature of your digestive system. Instead of ice-cold drinks, try lukewarm water or warm teas. A warm core is essential for restoring metabolic function. Finally, personalized prescriptions are necessary. Since every individual has a different constitution (Sasang typology), herbal medicine tailored to your specific deficiencies is needed to 'flip the metabolic switch.' The core of weight loss is not simply 'what you avoid eating,' but 'how you activate your body.' We invite you to visit our clinic for a thorough evaluation of your current physical state.