A new study suggests that ear acupuncture using metal beads may help with weight loss when combined with dietary restrictions. The beads, which stimulate the nerves and organs that regulate appetite, were found to significantly reduce participants’ waist circumference, body fat, and BMI over a three-month period.
A recent study found that six-point stimulation of the outer ear with simple metal beads helped reduce waist circumference, body fat, and BMI in obese men.
Ear acupuncture using metal beads can improve weight loss when combined with dietary restriction, according to a recent study presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Dublin, Ireland (May 17-20). can help lower body mass index (BMI). ), reduce body fat. The study was conducted by Dr. Takahiro Fujimoto and his team at Clinic F in Tokyo.
The results of this study suggest that acupuncture stimulation with beads is a simple approach to controlling appetite compared to the use of traditional intradermal needles, which usually requires the skills of a professional acupuncturist. .
“This type of acupuncture requires no complex knowledge or skill, as these tiny metal beads are attached to six points in the outer ear that stimulate nerves and organs that regulate appetite, satiety, and hunger. No,” explains Dr. Fujimoto. “In Japan, this method of helping people lose weight has been used for more than 30 years.”
In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is based on the understanding that health depends on the flow of Qi (energy) within the body.
This energy travels along invisible channels known as meridians throughout the body, including the ears. When the flow of Qi is blocked or interrupted, it can negatively impact your physical and mental health.
Auricular acupuncture is based on the theory that the outer ear represents all parts of the body. Fine needles or beads are placed at specific points (usually along meridian meridians) to clear blockages and disruptions and restore Qi flow, helping to improve a variety of health conditions.
This approach has been used to treat drug addiction and to help people quit smoking and lose weight.
Although the mechanism is unknown, research suggests that ear acupuncture may help regulate the endocrine system, regulate metabolism, promote digestion, and reduce oxidative stress.
This new study builds on previous research in overweight or obese Japanese women, which found that women who received bead ear acupuncture lost significantly more weight than untreated women, and that this weight It was found that the reduction was maintained for 6 months after the end of treatment.
A new study of 81 overweight or obese Japanese men (21 to 78 years old, average BMI 28.4 kg/sq. We evaluated auricular acupuncture using metal ear beads—shemenum, food tube, upper gastric opening, stomach, lungs, and endocrine system (see Figure 1 in Notes to the Editor).
Beads were placed in both ears and kept in place using surgical tape to ensure that participants received continuous, even pressure on each of the six acupuncture points. The beads were changed twice a week during his hospital visits. At the same time, dietary guidance and weight measurements were given.
Participants were asked to reduce their total food intake by half during the three-month treatment period and kept food diaries.
At the beginning and end of treatment, all participants’ weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, lean body mass, muscle mass, BMI, abdominal fat, etc. were measured, and the effects of ear acupuncture using beads were measured. I checked to see if it would be given.
The study found significant differences after three months, with participants’ waist circumference decreasing by an average of 10.4 cm (from an average of 98.4 cm at the start of the study to 88 cm) and total body fat by 4% (from an average of 28.2%). (Decreased to 24.3%) ).
Measurements of unhealthy abdominal body fat also fell by an average of 2 points (from 15.2 at the start of the study to 13 three months later, rated on a scale of 1 to 59; healthy visceral fat rated 1 to 12). If it is excessive, it will be evaluated as visceral fat). levels from 13 to 59), and BMI decreased by almost 3 points (mean BMI 28.4 kg/m² to 25.5 kg/m²).
“Our findings suggest that ear acupuncture may help with weight loss when combined with diet and exercise,” says Dr. Fujimoto. “Acupuncture may have the positive effects of suppressing appetite and cravings, improving digestion, and boosting metabolism.”
The authors note that this is a short-term observational study in a small group of Japanese men, and has several limitations, including the inability to prove causality.
Conference: European Obesity Conference (ECO2023)
