Q. I've heard that perilla oil diets are trendy for weight loss lately; as a Korean medicine doctor, do you actually recommend them?

To be honest, I've tried many popular health trends myself, and I've even experienced the trial and error of dealing with stomach upsets while following trendy diets. From a nutritional standpoint, perilla oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which play a positive role in purifying the blood and reducing inflammation. Looking at the benefits, high-quality fats help maintain a feeling of satiety, which is useful for dieting. Additionally, they help remove waste products from the blood vessels, benefiting overall systemic circulation. However, there are important precautions. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), a weakened digestive function is referred to as 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛, bi-heo). When the function of the Spleen is impaired, the body's ability to break down fats decreases; in such cases, excessive intake of perilla oil can lead to dizziness or a bloated sensation. Furthermore, for those with an accumulation of 'Phlegm-Fluid' (痰飮, dam-eum)—unnecessary metabolic waste—excessive fat intake can actually make the body feel heavier and more sluggish. Ultimately, the question is not 'What is healthy?' but 'Can my body currently process it?' The approach must differ entirely between someone with poor circulation due to 'Blood Stasis' (瘀血, eo-hyeol) and someone with severely compromised digestive power. I suggest first assessing your current digestive state and constitution to build a healthy diet that is safe and effective for your specific body type.