Obesity Research
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies
Acupressure
& Obesity
There have been reports that acupressure treatment can help
obese patients lose weight and a recent study conducted at the Obesity Research Center, St
Luke 's: Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College Physicians Surgery, New
York, NY USA put these claims to the test in a randomised placebo-controlled trial using
an auricular acupressure device.
96 obese adult volunteers, 80 females and 16 males, between
19 and 70 years of age were randomly assigned to either receive acupressure treatment or
placebo treatment. The acupressure group received a special acupressure device and were
instructed to use the device in their dominant ear, whereas the placebo group received an
acupressure device for their wrist. Participants were monitored for 12 weeks.
Weight, body fat, and blood pressure were measured every
two weeks. The results showed that all of the participants combined lost, on average, 0.96
kg. However, there was no difference between the two groups on weight loss was not
significant; the average weight loss in the treatment group was 1.28 kilo and 0.63 in the
placebo group. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the two groups
regarding fat loss or blood pressure reduction.
The study concluded that the acupressure device appears to
be a safe device as it did not cause any harmful side effects. However, it did not seem to
promote significantly greater weight or fat loss, or declines in blood pressure than
placebo treatment, and therefore further studies will be necessary before a firm
conclusion can be found.
Allison D.B.; Kreibich K.; Heshka S.; Heymsfield
S.B. A
randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial of an acupressure device for weight loss.
International Journal of Obesity (United Kingdom) , 1995, 19/9 (653-658)
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Ayurvedic
& Obesity
An interesting study was carried out at the
Interdisciplinary School of Ayurvedic Medicine, University of Poona, Pune, and India
investigating the effects of an Ayurvedic herbal preparation for obesity.
Seventy obese patients were randomly allocated into one of four groups. In three groups
various Ayurvedic drug treatments were given for a period of three months while one group
received a placebo. Physical, clinical and pathological investigations were carried out at
regular intervals. A significant weight loss was observed in the Ayurvedic treatment
groups when compared with the placebo. Body measurements such as skin fold thickness and
hip and waist circumferences were also significantly decreased. Decreases in serum
cholesterol and triglyceride levels were observed. No side effects of any kind were
observed during the treatment period.
Paranjpe P; Patki P; Patwardhan B Ayurvedic treatment of obesity: a randomised double
blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Ethnopharmacol (Switzerland) Apr 1990, 29 (1)
p1-11
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Acupuncture
& Obesity
Russian scientists have discovered
that acupuncture can help children suffering from constitutional exogenous
obesity. Electroacupuncture was given to 62 children with constitutional
exogenic obesity and the children’s body mass and lipid metabolism were
monitored both before and after the treatment. The treatment was found to
have a beneficial effect; not only did the children report feeling better
within themselves, but tests showed that the treatment led to body mass
reduction and decrease of fatty tissue content, increased performance
abilities, recovery of cardiovascular function, and normalization of blood
serum lipids. The results were so significant that the researchers
recommended that acupuncture treatment should be utilised for children with
constitutional exogenic obesity.
Gadzhiev AA; Mugarab-Samedi VV; Isaev II; Rafieva SK [Acupuncture therapy
of constitution-exogenous obesity in children] Probl Endokrinol (Mosk)
(RUSSIA) May-Jun 1993, 39 (3) p21-4.
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Vegetarianism & Obesity
Vegetarians are leaner than
non-vegetarians and their weights are generally closer to desirable
levels. The British Medical Association (1986) has stated that vegetarians
have lower rates of obesity. This may be due partly due to vegetarians
being more aware of diet and leading healthy lifestyles in other respects.
Also, the energy intake of vegetarian diets tends to be lower, with a
lower proportion of energy from fat.
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