Acupuncture For Appetite Control

By Y.C. Chan, OMD, Dipl Ac

Acupuncture Clinic of Maryland

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

Acupuncture For Appetite Control

The CDC recently reported that 34% of Americans are overweight and 27% are obese. Many people believe the actual percentage is much greater, and due to the rich foods and sweet products available, many more overweight people are on the way, and the situation is only going to get worse for the entire nation.

Control of one's appetite has a major impact for weight loss. Appetite issues can include anxiety, stress, depression, hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as not enough activity. Although most people are concerned with an increased appetite, a decreased appetite may also be a concern. A decreased appetite can come from different conditions, including chemical reaction, stomach diseases, liver problems, mental illness, as well as cancer. Patients may develop fatigue, vitamin deficiency and a lack of energy.

Obesity is a common condition associated with many health problems. Low calorie diets may reduce weight, but adherence to such diets requires the ability to sufficiently suppress the appetite. Appetite reduction should be combined with exercise, liquid management, as well as peace of mind. Weight loss is a long-term plan, and people looking for an overnight miracle find difficulties.

Acupuncture for weight control became popular in the United States in 2003 when CNN reported a successful study from China. The researchers evaluated the effects of acupuncture on appetite control compared to the effects of diet restriction. Acupuncture treatment proved to be more effective than diet restriction alone.

A recent study, lead by John Marley, M.D. from the University in Adelaide, Australia, selected 60 overweight patients, randomly divided into an active group and a control group, and used an AcuSlim Weight Control Device twice daily for four weeks. At the conclusion of the study, 95% of the active group noticed suppression of appetite, whereas none of the control group noticed such a change. No one in of the control group lost the required 2kg, with only four patients losing any weight and the mean weight loss was significantly higher in the active patient group.

The theory is that acupuncture can either suppress or increase a patient's appetite based on the principal of yin and yang, or energy balance.