Q. I'm currently controlling my diet by focusing mainly on chicken breast for weight loss. How does your clinic approach this from a TKM perspective?

Many people start diets with high ambition, focusing solely on chicken breast and sweet potatoes, only to find themselves feeling bloated and exhausted. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this state is viewed as 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛), where the digestive system's functional capacity is weakened. When the digestive system loses its strength, even high-quality protein cannot be converted into energy and instead remains in the body as metabolic waste. At Baekrokdam, we provide a phased approach to resolve this: First, we evaluate whether your gastrointestinal tract can properly absorb protein. Next, we clear 'Dam-eum' (痰飮)—phlegm-fluid retention resulting from unmetabolized waste—to open up metabolic pathways. We also address 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis, to ensure nutrients are delivered effectively to every peripheral cell. Instead of recommending a single-food diet, we provide personalized nutritional guidance with foods that match your constitution and have 'warming' properties to enhance digestive efficiency. Finally, we regulate your basal metabolic rate to ensure calories are burned efficiently while minimizing muscle loss. The core objective is not simply eating less, but creating a 'body that burns well.' Rather than insisting on chicken breast alone, we recommend first checking your current digestive capacity.