Positive Health Online

Abstract

CABYOGLU and co-workers, Department of Physiology, Selcuk University, Faculty of Meram Medica, Konya, Turkey, have reviewed (37 references) acupuncture in the treatment of obesity.

Background

Methodology

Results

Abstract: This paper presents the results of studies on the effects of acupuncture on obesity. It has been reported that acupuncture is effective in producing weight loss. It can affect appetite, intestinal motility, and metabolism, as well as emotional factors such as stress. Increases in neural activity in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, in tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach and in levels of enkephalin, beta-endorphin, and serotonin in blood plasma and brain tissue have also been observed with the application of acupuncture. Acupuncture increases the excitability of the ‘satiety centre’ in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagus nerve and raises serotonin levels. Both of these activities have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. One of the effects of serotonin is enhancement intestinal motility. It also influences stress and depression via endorphin and dopamine production. In addition to these effects, it is thought that the increase in plasma levels of beta-endorphin after acupuncture can contribute to the weight loss in obese people by mobilizing the body energy depots through a fat-mobilizing effect.

Conclusion

References

Cabyoglu MT, Ergene N, Tan U. The treatment of obesity by acupuncture. International Journal of Neuroscience 116 (2): 165-175, Feb 2006.