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- Title
Effects of ear acupuncture on weight loss and serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride.
- Authors
Abdi, Hamid; Ghayour, Majid
- Abstract
Objectives: Acupuncture seems to be effective in reducing body weight, body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements (e.g., waist and hip circumferences) and the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). On the other hand, it can increase the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in clinical practice. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of ear acupuncture on weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and several biochemical parameters, e.g., serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, HsCRP, albumin and prealbumin in male and female subjects. Materials and Methods: The participants were divided into case and control groups. The case group (n=110) followed a low-calorie diet and used ear acupuncture and exercise. The subjects were recruited from the nutrition clinic of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. The acupoints on the ears included the Shenmen (TF4), stomach (CO4), hungry point, mouth. (CO1), center of ear (HX1) and Sanjiao (CO17); ear pressing plasters were applied for acupuncture. The control group (n=110) included subjects with low-calorie diets and placebo ear acupuncture. The acupoints on the ears included the hip, spleen, nose and esophagus (pressing plasters without seeds). Both groups received two treatment sessions per week for 45 days. Some biochemical parameters such as weight, BMI and waist/hip circumferences were measured at the beginning and six (immediately after the end of treatment) and twelve weeks after the initial intervention. Results: A significant reduction was observed in W/C-H/C, weight and LDL-C, while total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-C levels did not significantly change in the case group. The difference in lipid profile between the two groups was significant. Conclusion: It seems that ear acupuncture has beneficial effects on anthropometric measurements, while it has no considerable effects on lipid profile in obese and overweight subjects.
- Subjects
ACUPUNCTURE research; BODY mass index; OBESITY
- Publication
Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 2015, Vol 5, p1
- ISSN
2228-7930
- Publication type
Article