Complementary Medicine Therapies That May Assist With Weight Loss: A Narrative Review

Overview

Journal J Chiropr Med

Date 2019 Aug 2

PMID 31367198

Citations 10

Authors

Brett R Martin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the potential effects of traditional Chinese medicine-which includes acupuncture; electroacupuncture; plum blossom needle hammer; auricular acupuncture; herbs that balance hormones, regulate neurotransmitters, induce sedative effects, and increase thermogenesis; and functional foods that can suppress the appetite-as an adjunct therapy for weight loss.

Methods: A narrative review of the current literature was performed using searches of MEDLINE and 4 scholarly texts. The inclusion criteria for the review consisted of studies that were performed from 2005 to 2016.

Results: In general, some traditional Chinese medicine modalities claim to promote weight loss. Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and herbs aim to reduce stress-related food cravings. These therapeutic approaches aim to downregulate dopamine and leptin levels, suppressing the appetite. Other attributes of these therapies are increasing uncoupling protein-1 activity promoting thermogenesis, which contributes to weight loss. In addition, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and may regulate estrogen, which could attenuate the appetite, assisting in weight-loss programs.

Conclusion: The literature reviewed includes information that describes how traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, or functional foods as adjunct therapies may be beneficial for weight-loss programs.

Citing Articles

Investigating the Preventive Effects of Oral Consumption of Dactylorhiza Maculate (Salep) Hydro-alcoholic Extract on Appetite and Body Weight in Male Rats.

Haghshenas H, Molayem M, Shafiei Jahromi N, Kargar Jahromi H, Dehghani M, Ebrahimi B Arch Razi Inst. 2024; 79(2):418-425.

PMID: 39463707 PMC: 11512169. DOI: 10.32592/ARI.2024.79.2.418.

Adding thread-embedding acupuncture to auricular acupuncture enhances short-term weight reduction in overweight and obesity: A double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial.

Trinh D, Kieu Q, Tran A, Bui M, Vuong N Integr Med Res. 2024; 13(3):101050.

PMID: 38911552 PMC: 11186962. DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2024.101050.

Electro-Acupuncture Effects Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging-A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Rodrigues J, Ventura C, Abreu M, Santos C, Monte J, Machado J Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(1).

PMID: 38200908 PMC: 10778902. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010002.

Management of a Patient With Premenstrual Syndrome Using Acupuncture, Supplements, and Meditation: A Case Report.

Martin B, Woodruff J J Chiropr Med. 2023; 22(3):222-229.

PMID: 37644997 PMC: 10461168. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2023.03.006.

Inclusion of Acupuncture as an Adjunct Therapy in the Management of a Patient With Schizophrenia and Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Case Report.

Martin B, Wroblewski R J Chiropr Med. 2023; 22(2):164-171.

PMID: 37346241 PMC: 10280087. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2022.08.002.

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