Q. I heard the Mediterranean diet is trending these days. How is this applied to weight loss at a TKM clinic?

I have personal experience struggling with abdominal pain and dizziness after blindly following a trendy diet. No matter how healthy a diet is claimed to be, it only becomes a 'restorative medicine' (Boyak) if your body can actually assimilate it. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we approach the Mediterranean diet through the following clinical steps: 1. Assessing Digestive State: We first check for Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo). If a person with weak digestive power consumes excessive amounts of raw vegetables, it can actually lead to a depletion of Qi and energy. 2. Resolving Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum): When metabolic waste, known as Dam-eum, accumulates in the body, metabolism slows down. This must be cleared first for any dietary change to be effective. 3. Selecting Fats Based on Constitution: While healthy fats like olive oil are beneficial, for those with a 'cold' body type, we balance this by incorporating ingredients with 'warm' properties. 4. Clearing Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol): By dispersing Blood Stasis that obstructs circulation, we ensure that nutrients are delivered efficiently to every cell in the body. 5. Adjusting Life Rhythms: When and how you eat is as important as what you eat; this is where the circulation of Qi and Blood is determined. The ultimate answer lies in 'harmony tailored to the individual.' Rather than chasing a trend, you must first read the signals your body is sending. If you are curious about which ingredients suit your specific constitution, let's examine them together.