• Martin BR

• Affiliation / National University of Health Sciences. Department of Basic Sciences
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Florida / Pinellas Park
• Complementary Therapies
• Medicine, Chinese Traditional / methods
• Open Access Document
• Weight Reduction Programs

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 Cimicifuga racemosa 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.

Author keywords: Weight Reduction Programs; Weight Loss; Diet, Reducing

Author affiliation: Basic Science Department, National University of Health Sciences, Pinellas Park, Florida, United States

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text. PubMed Record