Q. I'm thinking of trying the popular Denmark Diet meal plan. As a TKM doctor, would you recommend it?

Even as a practitioner, I recall trying trendy diets in my youth and suffering from severe dizziness within a week. High-protein, low-calorie plans like the Denmark Diet are tempting when you want fast results, especially since they remove the stress of meal planning. However, from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective, there are concerns. Since digestive capacity varies by individual, forcing a specific set of foods can lead to 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), where the functional capacity of the Spleen is compromised. When the digestive system is exhausted, your overall energy (Qi) drops, and 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention)—a type of metabolic waste—can accumulate, actually slowing down your metabolism. Specifically, those with a 'Cold' constitution may experience abdominal pain or profound lethargy when consuming cold vegetables or restricted diets. Furthermore, those with significant 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis/stagnation) may find that such extreme diets increase bodily tension, leading to insomnia. The answer ultimately lies in your current physical condition. Whether a diet is 'good' is less important than whether your digestive system can actually handle it. Rather than forcing a rigid plan, I recommend adjusting it to fit your specific constitution. Instead of struggling alone, I suggest visiting the clinic to assess your current state of health together.