For anyone looking to lose weight, this technique will leave you all ears.
Acupuncture, which uses tiny beads rather than needles, can reduce your waistline by up to 10cm when used on the ears, according to new research.
With its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, beads or “seeds” are attached to six points in the outer ear to stimulate the nerves and organs that regulate appetite, satiety and hunger.
Those who used the technique successfully halved their food intake for three months and significantly reduced their weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat.
The study involved 81 Japanese men, aged 21 to 78, who were overweight or obese, with an average BMI of 28.4 and high levels of unhealthy abdominal fat.
Acupuncture, which uses tiny beads rather than needles, can shrink your waistline by 10cm when used on the ears, according to new research
Each was weighed and measured at the start and end of treatment, including body weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, muscle mass, BMI and abdominal fat.
Known as auricular acupuncture, it was administered using 1.5mm metal ear beads at six points in the outer ear – representing the food tube, the opening to the stomach upper, stomach, lungs and endocrine system.
Beads were glued to these points on both ears to ensure that participants continuously received even pressure on each of the six acupuncture points, which were replaced twice a week during hospital visits.
Participants were asked to halve their total food intake during the three months of their treatment and kept a food diary.
Researchers at Clinic F, in Tokyo, Japan, found that participants lost an average of 10.4cm in waist circumference, going from an average of 98.4cm to 88cm.
They also lost 4% of their total body fat, typically 28.2% to 24.3% according to a study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Dublin.
Measurements of unhealthy abdominal body fat decreased and BMI decreased by almost 3 points, from 28.4 kg/m² to 25.5 kg/m² on average.
Dr Takahiro Fujimoto, who led the research, said: ‘Our results suggest that acupuncture on the ear may aid weight loss when combined with diet and exercise.
“Acupuncture is likely to have a positive effect by reducing food cravings and appetite, improving digestion and boosting metabolism.”
The researchers acknowledged that limitations included an observational study in a small group over a short period of time.
Experts also suggested that other elements of the intervention could have led to the weight loss, such as keeping a food diary that raises awareness of people’s diets.
Tam Fry, president of the National Obesity Forum, wasn’t convinced it worked, adding that the treatment “is almost as old as the hills.”
He said: ‘There was some hype about it when it was launched in the early 1990s but, like fad diets, it failed to do what it said on the box. .
“Any weight lost was quickly regained and either way was minimal. Plus, if you were asked today to reduce your food intake by 50%, there’s a good chance you’d be much slimmer by August.
Sir David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge, said: “This study showed that a group of men who were taught to lose weight and monitored regularly, on average achieved weight loss. weight.”
“It doesn’t show anything at all about the pearls and therefore seems like a complete waste of time for everyone involved.
“I don’t understand why it would be at a scientific conference, let alone a press release.”
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET RESULT IN?
Meals should be potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS
• Eat at least 5 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Meals based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starches, ideally whole grains
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following foods: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-grain crackers, 2 thick slices of whole-grain bread, and a large baked potato with the skin on.
• Have dairy products or dairy alternatives (like soy beverages) choosing low fat and low sugar options
• Eat beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish per week, one of which should be fatty)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small amounts
• Drink 6 to 8 cups/glasses of water per day
• Adults should consume less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide