Q. How does Traditional Korean Medicine manage repeated diet failures and the yo-yo effect?

Repeated dieting can leave the body exhausted. You may have experienced situations where weight loss is difficult even with low caloric intake, or where you quickly return to your original weight after a slight lapse in caution.

In Traditional Korean Medicine, this state is often viewed as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo). When the function of the Spleen weakens, nutrient absorption and metabolic capacity decrease, causing the body to tend to store energy rather than expend it. If Phlegm Accumulation (Dam-jeok)—the buildup of waste products—obstructs circulation, metabolic efficiency drops further.

• Decreased Metabolic Function: A state where energy consumption efficiency drops, making the yo-yo effect more likely
• Circulation Disorders: Situations where internal waste accumulates, causing edema and weight gain
• Constitutional Imbalance: Excessive weight loss methods that do not consider individual physical characteristics

Therefore, rather than unconditional fasting, a process of "turning back on" the body's metabolic switch is necessary. However, since constitutions and current health statuses vary by individual, it is important to receive a prescription tailored to your needs through expert consultation. A systematic approach based on an accurate diagnosis of your current state may help in achieving healthier maintenance and management.