Q. I've heard that the perilla oil diet is trending lately. What is the perspective from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) standpoint? I'd like to know the proper way to do it.

Many people jump into trending dietary fads only to suffer from digestive distress because they ignore their individual physical needs. From a nutritional standpoint, the unsaturated fatty acids in perilla oil provide satiety and help improve insulin resistance. However, in TKM, we believe that every individual has a different 'capacity' to process specific substances. To approach this healthily, I recommend the following steps: 1. Assess Digestive Capacity: Check for Spleen Deficiency (脾虛). If someone with weak digestion suddenly consumes high amounts of oil, it can lead to the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮), making the body feel heavier and more lethargic. 2. Start with Small Amounts: Rather than starting with a large dose, begin with a small teaspoon to monitor how your body reacts. 3. Balanced Dietary Combinations: The key is not to consume perilla oil in isolation, but to pair it with warm-natured vegetables or proteins to reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. 4. Check Circulation Status: If there is a significant presence of Blood Stasis (瘀血), metabolism slows down, hindering fat burning. In such cases, prioritizing circulation-boosting prescriptions is more effective than simply fasting or consuming oil. Ultimately, the core question is whether your body is prepared to convert this oil into energy. The 'correct' method is not the trending one, but the one tailored to your specific constitution. I recommend visiting the clinic to accurately identify your constitution and adjust the method based on your current digestive state and general condition.