Newport Beach Acupuncture -Weight Loss

How Acupuncture May Aid Weight Management

1-Appetite Regulation: Acupuncture may influence the body’s hunger and satiety signals. By targeting specific acupuncture points, practitioners believe they can help regulate appetite and reduce cravings, leading to better portion control and reduced calorie intake.

2- Stress Reduction: Stress can contribute to emotional eating and weight gain. Acupuncture has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system, potentially reducing stress and emotional eating triggers.

3-Metabolism Support: Acupuncture might stimulate the body’s metabolism by influencing hormone levels, such as insulin and cortisol. This could potentially help the body process calories more efficiently.

4-Digestive : Some acupuncture points are believed to be related to digestive health. By promoting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption, acupuncture might indirectly support weight management.

5-Hormone Balance: Hormonal imbalances can affect weight gain and loss. Acupuncture is thought to help balance hormones, potentially leading to healthier weight regulation (PCOS, hypothyroidism).

6- Blood Sugar Regulation: Acupuncture might play a role in regulating blood sugar levels, which is important for managing weight, especially for individuals with insulin resistance.

7- Lifestyle Awareness: Acupuncture sessions often involve discussions about lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise. This awareness can motivate individuals to make healthier choices that support weight loss.

Some quotes from research:

“The abnormal reduction for expression of UCP1 gene of BAT might be an important cause for the obesity. To promote the expression of UCP1 in obese organism might be an important cellular and molecular mechanism in anti-obesity effect by acupuncture.” (Zhi-cheng et.al., 2003)

The two most important hormones for weight loss are ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin controls appetite and meal stimulation, and leptin regulates fat storage and metabolism. Acupuncture helps stimulate these hormones, boosting metabolism, improving digestion, and reducing cravings. Ghrelin controls appetite and meal stimulation, and leptin regulates fat storage and metabolism. Acupuncture helps stimulate these hormones, boosting metabolism, improving digestion, and reducing cravings. (Wang et al., 2019).

Patients with PCOS may have challenges with weight management, acupuncture may be helpful and requires treatment for an extended period of time. 

Patients with hypothyroidism may have weight challenges. Acupuncture on a regular basis and long-term may help these patients.  The findings of an “overview of the efficacy, and evaluated the safe and cost-effective use of acupuncture against hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and thyroid-relevant illnesses. Findings indicated reductions in patient symptoms and improvements in biomarkers where acupuncture was used alone or in combination therapy” (Cheng, 2018)

References:

Wang LH, Huang W, Wei D, et al. Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy for Simple Obesity: An Evidence-Based Review of Clinical and Animal Studies on Simple Obesity. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:5796381. Published 2019 Feb 3. doi:10.1155/2019/5796381

Zhi-cheng L, Feng-min S, Dong-hong Z, et al. Effect of acupuncture on uncoupling protein 1 gene expression for brown adipose tissue of obese rats. Chin J Integr Med. 2003;9(3):204-209. doi:10.1007/BF02838034

Cheng FK. An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders. J Integr Med. 2018;16(6):375-383. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.09.002