When examining the Donguibogam concept of jeokchwi through the lens of modern medicine, striking parallels emerge with metabolic syndrome, which causes so much concern. Metabolic syndrome refers to a state where an individual simultaneously presents with three or more of the following: abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and dyslipidemia (increased bad cholesterol and decreased good cholesterol). This is not just a cosmetic weight issue; it is a serious warning that one belongs to a high-risk group vulnerable to severe chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes.
In particular, abdominal obesity—the accumulation of belly fat—is far more than an external appearance issue. Visceral fat lodged between the abdominal organs is not a passive energy storage depot. This visceral fat actively pours out inflammatory substances, hormones that elevate blood pressure, and factors that induce insulin resistance. It acts almost like a small chemical plant sitting inside the abdomen, constantly manufacturing toxic agents. When this happens, insulin fails to function properly, causing blood glucose to stay persistently high (insulin resistance), blood pressure to rise, and cholesterol to accumulate along the vascular wall, making the body susceptible to arteriosclerosis. The state of jeokchwi, described in Donguibogam as waste piling up due to obstructed qi and blood, is clearly articulated in modern medicine through the concrete substance of visceral fat and the intricate metabolic disorders it triggers.
Every organ in the body is organically connected. As visceral fat increases, the liver struggles to process fatty acids, and the pancreas exhausts itself trying to excessively secrete insulin. Blood vessels become narrow and rigid from inflammation and cholesterol deposits, impairing blood circulation. Research also shows that this process can affect brain function, potentially leading to cognitive decline. The entire sequence links together like falling dominoes, destabilizing the whole body's equilibrium.
The real issue is that metabolic syndrome presents no distinct symptoms in its early stages. Because of this, many people easily dismiss it as mere fatigue or modest weight gain. Over time, however, internal inflammation and waste accumulate in layers, solidifying into chronic disease—just as jeokchwi in Donguibogam starts invisibly and gradually forms a mass. Modern medicine clearly warns that this internal accumulation is not simple aging, but a serious health disorder arising from flawed lifestyle habits and poor diet. Even if everything seems fine right now, please remember that it is time to pay active attention rather than ignoring the small signals your body sends. How our health clock ticks depends entirely on how we care for ourselves.
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