How acupuncture helps with weight loss

Chinese medicine explains that the spleen, liver, kidney and triple warmer are the main organs linked to obesity. Invigorating the spleen will encourage the removal of dampness and energising the liver, with acupuncture, will assist in the removal of blood stasis, supporting the imbalance of obesity.

Acupuncture decreases fatty acid production, which when left in the blood is thought to raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases by causing insulin resistance. Acupuncture also assists in regulating glucose, controlling the blood sugar levels and reducing risks of diseases like diabetes.

Inflammation is a common problem and is also elevated in obese people, however acupuncture reduces inflammation markers in the body.

Obesity related diseases like atherosclerosis and insulin resistance have pro-inflammatory cells which causes an increase in inflammation.  As obesity is causing further inflammation and inflammation is elevated in obese people, the circle of ill health will continue until the inflammation markers are bought down.

'Meeting Sarah has completely changed my life. I am eating things that I have never tried in 55 years. I am losing weight (a bonus) but more importantly my body is healthier now than it has ever been. Sarah is always full of good advice and encouragement. Thank you so much Sarah. – Ruth Evans'

The hunger hormone ghrelin is found in the gut, but the function can become impaired, and send incorrect signals to the brain regarding hunger. Six weeks of acupuncture partly restored the physiological function and saw a significant increase in the ghrelin hormone, resulting in a clearer hunger signal bring sent to the brain.  

A new peptide found in the brain, nesfatin-1, regulated the appetite in rodents and this same peptide was found to increase in obese patients. A study of acupuncture for 30 minutes was found to decrease body weight, fat mass, body mass index and waist circumferences.

Acupuncture resulted in a decrease in the hormone, leptin, which is triggered in the brain when the fat stores become low. This indicates that the reduced levels of the hormone leptin in the body, will lower the urge to consume foods high in sugar and fat. In addition, acupuncture influences the endocrine system which subsequently adjusts the absorption and storage of the calorie.

During an acupuncture study there was a decrease of POMC, a polypeptide, which diminished the applicant’s food intake. There was also an increase in energy consumption due to protein activity.  When acupuncture is then performed regularly it will assist in achieving a weight loss goal.