This Diet Herb Was Banned by the FDA.

• Author: Dr. Lee Seung Hwan, Tong-In Clinic

• Editor : Sia

Obesity can lead to various health problems, whether you're young, adult, female, or male. That's why weight management is an important issue for everyone.

But am I really "obese" and need to diet? And can I get help with dieting through herbal medicine?

Today, I'll talk about dieting and related medicinal herbs. I'm Lee Seung-hwan, doctor of Tongin Korean Medicine Clinic. 🙂

1. First Check: Am I Obese?

Many people stress about dieting 365 days a year.

Is my weight at an appropriate level? Let's first check the most basic BMI!

▷ Calculating Your BMI

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measure based on weight and height. The calculation formula is as follows:

BMI = Weight(kg) ÷ (Height(m) × Height(m))

For example, if you're 170cm tall and weigh 65kg, 65 ÷ (1.7 × 1.7) = about 22.5, which falls under 'normal weight'.

※ Note: These values are based on WHO Asian standards. They may vary depending on individual body type, body composition (muscle/fat ratio), and genetic factors.

Recently, many have expressed the opinion that BMI standards should be viewed more flexibly. Rather than stressing over simple numbers, you must comprehensively check your lifestyle and health condition.

▷ Beyond BMI: Body Composition Analysis

BMI is just a basic indicator. Body composition analysis is recommended for a more accurate assessment of weight status.

Body composition measuring devices like InBody are available at Korean medicine clinics, health centers, hospitals, and gyms. These devices can check fat mass, muscle mass, water content, and other parameters, which is very helpful for health management.

However, be aware that accuracy may decrease right after meals or during menstruation.

2. Dieting is not about 'eating less' but 'eating well'

Are you overweight or obese and need to diet? If so, the most crucial thing might be 'lifestyle correction' rather than 'prescribing medicine'.

Let's first talk about the weight-gaining habits we all know well. Doing the opposite can be a shortcut to weight loss!

▷ Weight-gaining habits

• Eating quickly: Overeating before feeling full (Don't let my brain feeling stuffed; I'll eat more before that!!!)

• Eating continuously: Habit of eating without breaks (Stomach, keep working, there's no rest!!!)

• Craving strong taste foods: Sweet and salty foods are highly addictive and high in sodium (Only spicy and salty food can solve my stress, and sweet dessert after meals is a must!!!)

If these are combined with a lack of exercise and sleep, late-night snacks, fat accumulates more easily and the body becomes fatigued.

▷ Do you gain weight even if you only drink water?

Sometimes, we hear, “I gain weight even if I only drink water😭." In fact, water itself has no calories, so it doesn't turn into fat.

However, suppose you consume a lot of salty foods. your body may retain water to lower the sodium concentration, which can make you look bloated and appear to have gained weight.

This is called 'edema(부종)'; periodic edema can be a red flag for health, so it should be carefully monitored.

▷ Creating healthy eating habits, start like this

1. Always have breakfast: Missing breakfast makes you more susceptible to snack temptations before lunch and increases the likelihood of overeating at dinner.

2. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly: Eating hurriedly burdens digestion and makes it difficult to feel full. Prepare the next spoonful only after you've put food in your mouth and swallowed everything.

3. Fast three hours before bedtime: Late-night snacks burden the stomach and lower sleep quality. Late meals interfere with digestion and health.

4. Avoid watching videos during meals: When the brain is in an excited state, digestive function decreases. It's best to focus on food during meal times.

5. Choose plain foods over stimulating ones: If your taste buds become accustomed to strong stimuli, natural foods may seem bland, which can lead to picky eating and nutritional imbalance.

Healthy weight management isn't about eating less unconditionally. Remember, 'eating well ≠ , eating less.'

▷ Balance is key after all

The core of dieting is not 'eating less', but balanced living.

Eat meals of appropriate portions at regular times and eat foods with a variety of nutrients. Light exercise and consistent sleep are also necessary.

Excessive dieting only shrinks the body and leaves yo-yo effects.

Respect the rhythm your body wants, and start changing small habits. Your health, body shape, and mood will improve significantly.💪

3. Diet herbal medicine, can it help me?

Various studies have proven the benefits of diet herbal medicine. Some herbal medicine can increase fat breakdown and energy expenditure. It can also reduce weight, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels.

Take the herbs prescribed according to your constitution and symptoms. You can become healthier through improved digestive function, fatigue recovery, and blood circulation!

▷ Is Ephedra strictly controlled in the US?

In traditional Korean medicine, the plant Ephedra sinica Stapf's soft stems have been used as the herb 'Ephedra.' This herb has been mainly used to treat nasal congestion and runny nose. It increases metabolic activity, so it has been widely used in diet herbal medicine prescriptions.

However, there can be some side effects. These include decreased appetite (which is a side effect, haha), palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia.

Also, if used excessively or for a long time, the ephedrine alkaloid component in Ephedra can lead to diseases such as heart attack and stroke. This is why the US FDA banned the sale of Ephedra products in 2004.

Whoa!!! Then, are the herbal diet medicines containing Ephedra prescribed in Korea okay?

Yes, because there are Korean medicine doctors in Korea who are responsible for your health. 😉

Korean medicine doctors carefully observe the patient's weight and symptoms and prescribe appropriate herbal medicines. For example, if Ephedra is needed, they adjust the amount by increasing or decreasing the herb while finding the proper dosage. If side effects occur, they combine other herbs to suppress them.

▷ 'Coix' is perfect for removing swelling!

In Korea, many people drink "Coix tea" or eat "Coix rice," and Coix (Coix lacrymal) is very effective at removing edema. It regulates our body's water metabolism, aids digestion, and helps fat breakdown and excretion.

Of course, neither Ephedra nor Coix works for every patient. Sometimes, the side effects may outweigh the benefits, so caution is needed. That's why you must receive a prescription from a Korean medicine doctor!

***

In this session, we looked at herbs related to dieting.

The most essential thing to remember is lifestyle modification.

If you'd like to try diet herbal medicine in addition to that, visit a nearby Korean medicine clinic and receive a consultation from a Korean medicine doctor.

Just like a custom-tailored outfit, you can get help achieving a lighter body and mind through herbal medicines specifically formulated for you. 😉