Moon Gyeong-hui's Confession of a 36-inch Waist: Diet Drug Side Effects and 'Colon Melanosis'

The case of one participant shows that abdominal obesity in middle-aged women facing menopause can go beyond simple aesthetic concerns and lead to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and intestinal health issues.

According to a video released by TVCHOSUN JOY on the 26th, Moon Gyeong-hui, who is 61 years old this year, stated that she is experiencing a health crisis due to rapidly increasing abdominal obesity after menopause. While Moon had previously covered her abdomen with loose-fitting clothes, her actual waist circumference was measured at 36 inches, exceeding the standard for female abdominal obesity.

Side Effects Caused by Diet Medication Intake and 'Colon Melanosis'

Moon said she attempted various methods to escape obesity, including hospital-prescribed injections, herbal medicine, and Western medicine, but experienced repeated yo-yo effects. The side effects experienced during this process were not insignificant. In the video, Moon mentioned experiencing dry mouth, a bitter taste in the mouth, and severe heart palpitations after taking medication. It was also revealed that she had been taking laxatives for a long time due to constipation symptoms.

This medication intake led to physical abnormalities. According to the video, Moon was diagnosed with 'colon melanosis,' a condition where the intestinal mucosa turns black, during a health checkup. This was analyzed as a phenomenon that occurred because the intestines were strained from long-term consumption of irritating laxatives.

Vascular Health Deterioration Leading from Obesity to Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia

Obesity also had a direct impact on Moon's vascular health. While Moon had previously only taken diabetes medication, she recently visited a hospital after experiencing blurred vision and slurred speech during a class, resulting in a situation where her blood pressure exceeded 190mmHg. She explained that she is currently taking medication for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and is struggling to manage her vascular health.

Moon cited irregular eating habits as one of the causes. She stated that running an academy led to her waking up late and eating her first meal around lunchtime, and her habit of enjoying snacks like tteokbokki, fried food, and ramen led to obesity.

Correlation Between Leptin Resistance and Harmful Gut Bacteria

Based on Moon's body composition and blood test results, an expert diagnosed that, along with abdominal obesity, her 'leptin' levels—an appetite-regulating hormone—are excessively high. The explanation is that when leptin levels are excessively high, 'leptin resistance' occurs, where resistance to the hormone develops, creating a vicious cycle where one does not feel full even after consuming food and appetite cannot be controlled.

In particular, it was found that the balance of this leptin hormone is closely related to harmful bacteria in the gut. When harmful bacteria in the gut increase, they release LPS, a toxin; when this toxin enters the bloodstream, it interferes with the secretion of the leptin hormone, making appetite control difficult. Consequently, the analysis suggested that reducing and managing harmful gut bacteria is the key to a healthy diet.