Q. Dietary supplements like 'Foodology' or diet probiotics are very popular lately. How do Korean Medicine clinics advise using these types of products?

When you see advertisements for diet supplements, it’s easy to wonder if they really work and find yourself clicking the 'buy' button. Even as a practitioner, I sometimes feel that same temptation. However, from the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), the sequence of your approach is more important than the supplement itself. First, we must address Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛) to prepare the body to actually absorb nutrients. If your digestive function is weakened, even the most expensive probiotics or supplements won't be absorbed properly and may instead cause diarrhea or abdominal pain. Strengthening the Spleen Qi (脾氣) to transform nutrients into energy is the absolute priority. Next, it is time to clear out internal waste such as Phlegm-fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮) and Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血). Trying to force supplement ingredients into a body where circulation is blocked by waste is like pouring detergent into a clogged drain. We must first clear the pathways for Qi and Blood (氣血) using herbal medicine. Furthermore, you should consider your individual constitution (Che-jil, 體質) when choosing supplements. Even with probiotics, the most effective strains can vary depending on whether your body tends to be 'cold' or 'hot.' Seeking advice from a Korean Medicine doctor to select products that match your constitution will help minimize side effects and protect your health. Finally, remember that supplements are just 'support.' They should be viewed as 'extras' that slightly increase efficiency while we flip the metabolic switch and implement dietary therapy. Rather than blindly following trends, I recommend focusing on the 'foundation work' for your body first.