17 May 2023 , 09:36
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One little-known treatment could help Brits tackle obesity, a new study has claimed.
A form of acupuncture that involves strapping beads to your ears could allegedly help with weight loss, a group of researchers have said.
Overweight and obese men lost over a stone on average during a three-month trial in Japan.
Eight-one participants took place, and they each had six beads, 1.5mm in diameter, taped to their outer ears.
The study claimed that the beads were attached to what’s claimed to be pressure points to help control impulse tolerance and food cravings.
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They were replaced twice a week to ensure pressure remained constant.
Alongside this the participants were asked to try and halve their overall food intake and given diet and exercise advice.
The form of acupuncture worked by taping beads to the participant's ears (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Over average they lost 8kg each, 1st 4lb, and a total of four per cent body fat.
Dr Takahiro Fujimoto, director of Clinic F in Tokyo, claimed ear acupuncture had a “dramatic effect” on weight loss.
He said: “In Japan, this method to aid weight loss has been used for over 30 years.
“Since these tiny metal beads are attached to six points on the outer ear that stimulate nerves and organs which regulate appetite, satiety and hunger, this type of acupuncture does not require complex knowledge or skill.
“Our findings suggest that acupuncture on the ear may aid weight loss when paired with diet and exercise. It’s likely that acupuncture has a positive effect by curbing cravings and appetite, improving digestion, and boosting metabolism.”
Ear acupuncture has been used in China for centuries but only became popular in the west in the late 1980s.
It is based on claims that the outer ear represents the rest of the body and can treat addictions, relieve pain and control weight.
In ear acupuncture the ear is mapped and said to contain over 200 pressure points which have different effects when stimulated.
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In the new study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Dublin, the beads were placed on six points that affected the shen-men (spirit gate), food pipe, upper stomach opening, stomach, lungs and endocrine system.
Traditional acupuncture stems from ancient Chinese medicine and mostly involves inserting fine needles into certain areas of the body - it is available on the NHS to treat hiccups, migraine and chronic pain.
But experts questioned the authority of the study and pointed out it was only observational and couldn't prove cause and effect.
Also, vitally, by encouraging participants to follow a diet and cut food intake, they could've easily influenced weight loss that way.
Similarly, there was no control group.