Q. There are so many protein products for dieting these days. What is the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) on this kind of protein intake?

I have also experienced a phase where I relied solely on protein shakes, believing that 'protein is everything.' However, I eventually started feeling bloated and dizzy. It turned out that I was consuming more than my digestive capacity could handle. In TKM, this state is viewed as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛). When you force a high-protein diet while your digestive organs—specifically the Spleen—are weak, it can actually lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Here is a step-by-step guide to consuming protein healthily: 1. Check Your Digestive Power: If you feel bloated after meals or experience poor bowel movements, your current protein intake may be excessive. 2. Clear 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮): If undigested waste has accumulated in your body, it is better to consume protein alongside warm vegetables rather than relying on supplements. 3. Diversify Protein Sources: Choose whole, natural proteins over processed shakes to reduce the burden on your liver and kidneys. 4. Manage Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血): If blood circulation is stagnant, a high-protein diet alone can make your body feel heavy. Combine your diet with light physical activity to promote circulation. 5. Find Your Personal Balance: Rather than unconditionally increasing protein, finding the 'optimal amount' tailored to your digestive capacity is the shortest path to a diet without a yo-yo effect. Protein products can be beneficial, but the priority is whether your body can actually absorb them. Instead of struggling through trial and error alone, I recommend visiting our clinic to first assess your current digestive state and constitution.