Q. Diet probiotics are really popular these days. As a doctor of Korean Medicine, which ones would you recommend?

There are countless supplements available today, and probiotics are among the most popular. They are easy to find and convenient to take, especially when dieting, as reduced food intake often leads to constipation. By improving the gut microbiota, probiotics can help maintain a comfortable digestive state and overall condition. However, their limitations are clear: they are 'supplementary' and cannot fundamentally alter a constitution prone to weight gain. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we focus on Phlegm-Dampness (痰飮), which is metabolic waste from poor fluid metabolism, and Blood Stasis (瘀血), which is waste resulting from stagnant blood flow. If these 'toxins' are blocking your body's pathways, your metabolism will struggle to recover regardless of the probiotics you consume. Furthermore, individuals with Spleen Deficiency (脾虛 - a naturally weak digestive system) may even experience bloating or gas when taking certain probiotics that don't suit them. Rather than following trends, it is more effective to identify why your internal circulation has stalled. If you are looking for general maintenance, probiotics are a good choice. But if you are dealing with chronic weight rebound (yo-yo effect) and a sluggish metabolism, it is far more efficient to use TKM to clear internal blockages first before adding supplements to your routine.