Posted by Dr Vitalis Acupuncture in PCOS, weight loss
In a study published in the current issue of International Journal of Obesity, researchers found acupuncture was effective and significantly reduced body weight in obese patients. The researchers compared acupuncture to placebo or sham treatments. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes than conventional medication.
My comment: Maintaining optimal weight for otherwise healthy individuals has numerous health benefits. This study shows acupuncture to be helpful as a treatment for obesity. This study focused on obese patients. I believe that acupuncture may help to normalise the body weight (ie decrease or increase it). Acupuncture should not be seen as a replacement for a healthy eating habits and exercise. It may be helpful in restoring the healthy lifestyle by decreasing anxiety, stress, regulating appetite, relieving depression, increasing motivation (including motivation to exercise) and improving quality of sleep.
In my clinic I see numerous fertility patients suffering from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Acupuncture can help these patients to restore regular ovulation. Maintaining body mass index between 20 and 25 is another way to alleviate symptoms of PCOS. This study also suggests that there may be more than one way acupuncture is helpful for PCOS patients.
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This study examines the effects of acupuncture in treatment of obesity.
This is mostly interesting to qualified acupuncturists, medical professionals and erudiths that are interested in the science behind acupuncture.
Cabyoglu MT, et al. Department of Physiology, Selcuk University, Faculty of Meram Medical, Konya, Turkey. tugcab@yahoo.com
The present study is an investigation of the results of the studies on the effects of acupuncture application therapy on obesity. It has been reported that acupuncture application in obesity treatment is effective in procuring weight loss. It can affect appetite, intestinal motility, and metabolism, as well as emotional factors such as stress. Increases in neural activity in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, in tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach and in levels of enkephalin, beta endorphin, and serotonin in plasma and brain tissue have also been observed with the application of acupuncture. It has been observed that acupuncture application to obese people increases excitability of the satiety center in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels. Both of these activities have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. Among other things, serotonin enhances intestinal motility. It also controls stress and depression via endorphin and dopamine production. In addition to these effects, it is thought that the increase in plasma levels of beta endorphin after acupuncture application can contribute to the body weight loss in obese people by mobilizing the body energy depots through lipolithic effect.
Int J Neurosci. 2006 Feb;116(2):165-75.
Source: PubMed
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