In 2023, 41.9 % of the US population is considered obese. This is a serious healthcare problem for our country because it means that 100 million US citizens are at risk of suffering from Chronic Diseases, like high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, systemic inflammation, high risk of cancer, etc.
One person is considered obese when their Body mass index is 30 or higher.
If you want to calculate the BMI, use this formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703, a person's weight in kilograms (or pounds) divided by the square of height in meters (or feet).
An unhealthy and poor diet plus low physical activity levels are significant risk factors for obesity and chronic disease.
Recently, more and more people have discovered the value of Traditional Chinese Medicine to lose weight and treat obesity and many other chronic diseases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Traditional Perspective on Modern Wellness
TCM can play an important role in the treatment of obesity, promoting losing weight.
Chinese medicine practitioners focus on balancing the whole body and always try to find and treat the root of our conditions.
If a patient has excess weight gain, most of the cases are due to an unhealthy diet with wrong food intake plus a sedentary lifestyle.
Other factors that increase weight gain may be metabolic syndrome, spleen qi deficiency, kidney issues producing water retention, etc.
The Relationship between Acupuncture and Weight Loss
Acupuncture's role in weight loss is multifaceted. From a traditional standpoint, excess weight is often associated with imbalances in the spleen and liver meridians.
Acupuncture can address these imbalances, potentially reducing cravings, improving digestion, and boosting metabolism. Furthermore, acupuncture sessions may lead to increased relaxation and reduced stress, which can deter emotional eating—a common obstacle in weight loss journeys.
Also, when there is poor metabolic health, hormonal imbalances, and inadequate intake of essential nutrients, the body doesn't burn fat adequately, and weight gain occurs.
Acupuncture treatment can promote weight loss because it stimulates the proper function of the digestive system, promoting bowel movements and reducing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs and Weight Loss
There are many herbs that have anti-obesity action, like green tea or ginger tea.
A good TCM practitioner will make a proper diagnosis through thorough questions, pulse intake, and observing your tongue and ears, and then will prescribe Chinese herbal remedies that induce weight loss and adjusted for your particular condition.
Usually, in addition to losing weight, you will feel improvement all over your overall health, not only weight loss but probably also the Chinese herbal medicine should reduce your health problems like blood sugar, excess water weight, balance your blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, immune system, skeletal muscle issues, etc.
Chinese Medicine Nutrition and Weight Loss
In Traditional Chinese medicine, the most important to get a healthy weight is to follow a healthy diet. Many people believe that fatty foods produce body fat and belly fat. That is proven wrong already.
Animal fatty foods don't make you fat. Fat accumulation happens after eating too many carbohydrates.
In the US and in most of the modern world, we are having an obesity epidemic due to the increase of consumption carbohydrates and industrial seed oils like canola oil, soy oil, or corn oil. If you read the ingredients of any prepared food, from chips to sauces, marinated meats, or bread, almost everything has industrial seed oils on it.
Many experts are sounding the alarm they are blaming these products for most of our modern lifestyle health problems.
Traditional Chinese medicine promotes the eating of traditional foods and traditional ways of cooking and avoids fast food intake and any kind of processed food intake.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Process: Needles and Chinese Herbs
Once you start eating a proper human diet, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine will help you lose weight and recover your health.
Acupuncture :
- What to Expect
An acupuncture session for weight loss typically involves an initial consultation where a skilled practitioner assesses your overall health, lifestyle, and weight loss goals. Subsequent sessions consist of inserting thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, which may include the ear, abdomen, and extremities.
These points are chosen based on their relevance to weight management and overall well-being.
- Duration and Frequency
The duration of acupuncture sessions varies depending on individual needs. However, a common recommendation is a series of weekly sessions spanning several months. This extended approach allows the body to respond to the treatment and adapt to the changes gradually.
-Potential Sensations and Risks
During acupuncture sessions, sensations such as tingling, warmth, or mild pressure around the needle insertion points are normal. These sensations indicate that the body's energy is being stimulated.
As for risks, acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. Every licensed TCM practitioner in the US uses sterile and disposable needles to prevent any potential infections.
Chinese Herbal Formulas:
Chinese medicine pharmacopeia is huge; it is one of the reachest in the whole world, and they have a wide variety of Chinese herbs for weight loss.
- Customized Treatment
In order to promote weight loss, the Chinese medicine herbalist will choose the appropriate Chinese herbs to correct the particular imbalance in every single patient.
A good herbalist will always customize the Chinese herbal medicine; otherwise, the effect on weight loss will be minimized.
When you take a Chinese herbal medicine customized for yourself, you will lose weight and also will feel many other different improvements in your general health.
- When to see a result
If you lose weight too quickly, it can be dangerous for your health.
A safe rate to lose weight should be around 10 pounds per week. If it is faster, it can produce problems like muscle loss, lower metabolism, nutrient deficiencies, or gallstones.
Safety of Treatment
Mostly, all Chinese herbal medicine that licensed Chinese medicine herbalists prescribe is very safe. All the herbs pass an exhaustive quality test that guarantees their purity, efficacy, and lack of pesticides or dangerous chemicals.
You can click this link to learn more about the safety of Chinese herbs.
Nutrition:
Proper nutrition is essential to have a healthy weight and healthy general health, from Traditional Chinese medicine and from any other medical point of view.
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to live a healthy life if you are consuming just processed, industrial foods.
- Chinese Medicine Perspective
From a Traditional Chinese medicine point of view, it is important to eat according to our nature, our own characteristics, our activities, the season, and the weather where we live.
Ideally, we should eat the foods nature produces in our environment. In addition to that, we should minimize sugars and carbohydrates and eat and cook according to our environment.
The less processed and industrial foods we consume, the better for us and for the environment.
- Customized Diet
A healthy diet induces weight loss in obese people.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, we know that every food, every grain, every leaf, every fruit, and every kind of meat has a particular characteristic or energy based on flavor and temperature, and use it to balance the different organs of the body.
For example, if someone has an internal cold, they should eat more lamb (even better with warming spices), which warm up the body, or we know it is good to eat pears in autumn to protect the Lung and prevent colds or we know that food from the deep of the ocean like seaweed or fish nourish and promote Kidney function.
Any well-trained Chinese medicine practitioner can create a customized diet that not only can help you burn fat or reduce blood sugar but also will help to improve your overall health, balancing your digestive system and the rest of the organs.
Studies on Chinese Medicine for Weight Loss:
There are plenty of scientific studies that explain Chinese medical sciences for weight loss, using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and nutrition.
Here we can see some examples:
Chinese herbal medicine is associated with higher body weight reduction than liraglutide among the obese population: A real-world comparative cohort study
The Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Obesity
Anti-obesity effect and action mechanism of Adenophora Triphylla root ethanol extract in C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet
Codonopsis lanceolata Extract Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity in C57BL/6 Mice
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Tea Drinking Suppresses Subjective Short-term Appetite in Overweight Women
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to see results from acupuncture for weight loss?
A: The timeline for results can vary. Some individuals may notice changes within a few weeks, while others might take a few months. Consistency and adherence to a healthy lifestyle play a significant role in the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss.
Q: Is acupuncture for weight loss suitable for everyone?
A: Acupuncture is generally safe for most individuals. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new wellness regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Q: Can acupuncture replace diet and exercise in a weight loss plan?
A: Acupuncture should complement a balanced diet and regular exercise. It's not a standalone solution but rather an integrative method that can enhance your weight loss efforts.
Q: Are there any dietary recommendations to follow alongside acupuncture?
A: While acupuncture can aid in weight loss, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial. Your practitioner might offer dietary suggestions based on your individual needs.
Q: How can stress reduction through acupuncture contribute to weight loss?
A: Stress can contribute to weight gain and hinder weight loss efforts. Acupuncture's ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation can indirectly support weight loss by curbing stress-related eating.
Q: Are the results of acupuncture for weight loss sustainable?
A: Sustainable results depend on various factors, including lifestyle choices and commitment to healthy habits. Acupuncture can provide a foundation for weight loss, but maintaining results requires long-term dedication.
Conclusion
Embracing a holistic approach to weight loss can lead to lasting and meaningful results. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs, deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, offer a unique perspective on addressing weight-related concerns. By harmonizing the body's energy flow, reducing stress, and promoting overall well-being, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be valuable tools in your weight loss journey. Remember, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight involves a combination of mindful eating, regular physical activity, and holistic practices like acupuncture or Chinese herbs for weight, which work together to create a balanced and thriving lifestyle.
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