Customized weight management

Kim Hee-joon

By Kim Hee-joon

How many times have you heard this? - “I eat and exercise just like everyone else. But I seem to gain more weight than others.”

For many centuries, this kind of statement has been criticized as a lie, a petty excuse for those who can’t control their greed. Now, numerous studies have shown that it may have some element of truth. It is now an established fact that some people are more prone to obesity.

Why the difference, then? The biggest difference lies in the genes. For thousands of years, the genome of mankind evolved to endure starvation. To do so, the human body had to store excessive calories as fat. And some people are just more effective in doing so. In others words, some people gain more weight with the same diet. Moreover, the resistance to fat reduction also differs between individuals.

In Western Medicine, this difference has begun to be recognized in the form of pharmacogenomics. It is a field of research that studies the role of the genome in drug responses. In Oriental Medicine, the difference in fat storage and reduction was acknowledged several decades ago, in the form of Sa-Sang Constitutional Medicine.

Sa-Sang medicine proposes that there are four types of people: Tae-eum, So-yang, So-eum, and Tae-yang. Each constitution is mutually exclusive; all individuals have only one constitution. And in Sa-Sang medicine, Tae-eum people are most likely to become fat, followed by those classed as So-yang and So-eum, respectively.

So what are the characteristics of a Tae-eum individual? The constitution is known to have the biggest belly of all constitutions and is most likely to have a spider-shaped body. The individual also has a good digestive ability and a stronger appetite, constantly snacking and enjoying food overall. To treat Tae-eum obesity, one must purge excessive phlegm and dampness which causes one to lose energy and eat more. It also accumulates in the body to increase weight.

Next in the line is the So-yang individual. They are most likely to have an over-developed upper body, especially the lower section of the upper arm. Although So-yang individuals don’t eat incessantly like the Tae-eum individual, they do have the habit of binge eating. Moreover, some even skip regular meals and overeat at night, a sign of night eating syndrome; a combination of evening hyperphagia, morning anorexia, digestive disorder and insomnia. This constitution is also more vulnerable to stress induced binge eating.

Lastly, there is the So-eum constitution. These people usually have a bigger lower body; most of their fat is concentrated in the hip and upper leg. This type usually enjoys snacking, eating small amounts at a time which quickly accumulate to a large sum. They also tend to prefer food that is spicy or sweet, both of which enhance the appetite and make them eat more.

What can Korean medicine do then? First, herbal concoctions can fix the inner disharmony of such people. All constitutions have a specific disharmony which causes obesity, and an appropriate formula can fix that. Additionally, such concoctions are completely customized and can relieve accompanying symptoms, enhancing the patient’s health overall.

Second, electro-acupuncture, a combination of the old and the new, can break down fat cells and facilitate lipolysis. It is also notable that the treatment has been thoroughly researched, proving its efficacy and safety. Lastly, Oriental medicine can offer a customized diet that is suitable for each constitution, tweaked to meet the specific patient’s needs. This diet can not only reduce weight but also enhance health.

So how safe is Oriental medical treatment? As safe as it can be; there are numerous studies done by the modern scientific community that proves Korean medicine’s safety. However, only a licensed Korean medicine practitioner should practice the treatment. All licensed practitioners are educated and licensed in Korea and are also well versed in Western medicine as Korean medicine colleges include Western medical subjects in their curriculums. So if you are gaining weight but can’t find the exact reason, please don’t hesitate to visit a Korean medical clinic today. You just might find your answer there.

The writer practices Korean medicine at the Nabysol Korean Medical Clinic in Gagyeong-dong, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.