체중감량을 위한 3일 한약 해독 다이어트 프로그램의 효과와 안전성: 진료기반 연구

Effect and Safety of 3-Day Herbal Detoxification Diet Program for Weight Reduction: A Practice-Based Research

Objectives: This study evaluated the short-term effectiveness and safety of a 3-day detoxification diet program combining a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) and complex herbal medicine (HM). Methods: Twenty-five participants completed a 3-day program including LCD and HM containing Ephedrae Herba and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. Body composition and cardiovascular indices were measured before and after. Nonparametric tests were chosen for statistics, and adverse events (AEs) were also systematically collected throughout the study. Results: Significant reductions were observed in body weight (-2.65±1.22 kg), body mass index (-0.97±0.41 kg/m2), skeletal muscle mass (-1.06±0.61 kg), and body fat mass (-0.64±0.68 kg). The skeletal muscle percentage (SM%) showed no overall change. Both men and women lost weight and fat mass; however, SM% increased in men but decreased in women, showing a significant sex difference. Cardiovascular markers (systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate) did not change significantly. AEs occurred in 44% of participants and were mostly mild (grade 1), with one moderate abdominal pain case linked possibly to Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. No serious AEs were reported. Conclusions: The 3-day program (LCD plus HM) effectively reduced weight and fat without adverse cardiovascular effects while maintaining muscle percentage, with sex-specific differences. The intervention was well tolerated. Larger controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings and clarify sex-related responses and safety nuances.