Q. I'm thinking about trying a one-food diet, like eating only cabbage. How does a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) clinic approach this?

Even if cabbage is healthy, relying on a single food source easily disrupts the body's internal balance. In Traditional Korean Medicine, the process for healthy weight loss follows these steps: 1. Constitution and Metabolism Assessment: We first identify why you are gaining weight, such as determining if you have 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), which refers to a deficiency in the Spleen's digestive function. 2. Clearing Waste Products: It is essential to first remove 'Dameum' (痰飮, abnormal fluid retention) and 'Eohyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis) accumulated in the body. Just as you cannot organize a house until you throw out the trash, the body must be cleared of metabolic waste first. 3. Increasing Basal Metabolic Rate: We use herbal medicine to help your body burn energy naturally without the need for extreme starvation. Starving leads to muscle loss, which inevitably results in the 'yo-yo effect' (weight regain). 4. Applying a Tailored Diet: While you can incorporate healthy foods like cabbage, we ensure you consume proteins and fats that suit your specific constitution to prevent nutritional imbalances. 5. Maintenance and Constitutional Improvement: After weight loss, we focus on changing the body's internal 'set point' to create an environment where it is harder to regain weight. Early in my career, I mistakenly believed that 'eating less equals weight loss.' However, through clinical experience, I've learned that the true key is the harmony between 'how you empty' and 'what you fill.' I strongly recommend understanding your body's current state before starting any restrictive diet.