Q. I use a calorie tracker to plan my meals for weight loss, but how does a Korean medicine clinic approach dieting?

Tracking calories logically makes sense, but the body doesn't always function like a simple calculator. Two people consuming the same 500kcal can have completely different results: one may burn it efficiently, while the other may store it as fat. At Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we take the following approach: First, we assess your digestive and absorptive capacity. If you have 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), even healthy foods fail to provide proper nutrition and instead accumulate as waste. Restoring digestive function is our first priority. Next, we eliminate internal waste. When 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid) or 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis) stagnate in the body, metabolism inevitably slows down. Clearing these obstructions is essential to restore calorie-burning efficiency. Then, we curate a diet tailored to your constitution. Rather than indiscriminate fasting, we identify ingredients that suit your specific body type to help you use energy more effectively. Finally, we 'flip the metabolic switch.' By using herbal medicine to naturally increase your basal metabolic rate, your body begins to burn energy autonomously without the need for extreme starvation. Ultimately, the key lies in your 'metabolic state' rather than 'numbers.' Let's work together to ensure the engine of your body is running at its optimal performance.