Acupuncture for Obesity

Abstract

In this review study, we aimed to show the effects of acupuncture on obesity in the light of recent studies. Obesity is an important health problem that is accepted as a risk factor for many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver and has become an epidemic all over the world. Acupuncture is a form of treatment applied by inserting needles into specific points on the body for therapeutic purposes. There are still uncertainties about whether acupuncture practices alone are effective in the treatment of obesity. In addition, there is evidence that it stimulates some anorexigenic hormones, inhibits some orexigenic hormones, and as a result suppresses appetite. It has been reported in the literature that these effects of acupuncture are much more effective when applied together with diet and exercise. Acupuncture reduces the appetite of obese patients, increases their compliance with diet and exercise, and reduces the anxiety caused by hypocaloric nutrition with the anxiolysis effect it creates. It also accelerates metabolism by providing homeostasis in the body and enables patients to lose weight. In these multidisciplinary treatment approaches, it would be very beneficial to include acupuncture treatment, which is one of the complementary and alternative treatment methods in the treatment of obesity.