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Doctor's Recommendation Guide
Doctor's Recommendation Guide

Q. I'm trying to push through my diet by looking at 'motivation photos' and relying on willpower, but what approach do Korean medicine clinics recommend?

A.

Rather than starving yourself or over-exercising, the priority is to flip your body's 'metabolic switch.' Relying solely on willpower often leads to the yo-yo effect. The key is using constitution-specific herbal medicine to control appetite and restore vitality, creating a state where your body naturally burns energy.

📝 Detailed Answer

Many people start their weight loss journey with sheer ambition and extreme fasting, but this often leads to dizziness and a breakdown in daily functioning. Willpower alone has a clear limit. Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) focuses on the root cause: 'Why do you keep craving food?' For instance, Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛)—a weakness in digestive function—drops energy efficiency, leading to sugar cravings. Additionally, the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮) or Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血) can slow down your metabolism, making your body prone to gaining weight. The strength of a TKM diet is that it naturally suppresses appetite while simultaneously boosting your vital energy (Qi), allowing you to maintain your daily routine without burnout. However, it is important to note that those sensitive to herbal stimulants may experience initial side effects such as heart palpitations or insomnia. Therefore, I recommend first understanding your specific body condition. Changing your internal biological environment through a tailored prescription is a much faster and more sustainable path than the pain of forced deprivation. As a practitioner, I believe relying purely on endurance is far too harsh. I invite you to visit the clinic so we can examine your current state together.
#recommendation #pros-cons
Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Expert Verified

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Chief Director

Last reviewed 2026.05.13

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