Anyone who wants to lose weight will be enthusiastic about this technique.
New research suggests that acupuncture, which uses tiny beads instead of needles, can decrease up to 4 inches from the waist when applied to the ears.
With its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, beads or “seeds” are placed at six points on the outer ear to stimulate nerves and organs that regulate appetite, satiety, and hunger.
Those who used this technique managed to reduce food intake by half for three months and significantly reduced weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat.
The study involved 81 Japanese men, ages 21 to 78, who were overweight or obese, had an average BMI of 28.4, and had a high percentage of unhealthy abdominal fat.
New research suggests that acupuncture, which uses tiny beads instead of needles, can decrease up to 4 inches from the waist when applied to the ears
All were weighed and measured at the beginning and end of treatment, including body weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, muscle mass, BMI and abdominal fat.
Ear acupuncture is performed using 1.5mm metal ear beads at six points on the outer ear, representing the esophagus, upper stomach opening, stomach, lungs and endocrine system.
Beads were attached to these points on both ears to ensure that the participants continuously applied even pressure to each of the six acupuncture points. During hospital visits, they were exchanged twice a week.
Participants were asked to reduce their total food intake by half during the three months of their treatment and kept food diaries.
Researchers at Clinic F in Tokyo, Japan, found that participants lost an average of 4 inches in waist circumference, shrinking from an average of 39 inches to 35 inches.
They also lost 4 percent of total body fat, typically from 28.2 percent to 24.3 percent, according to a study presented at the European Obesity Congress in Dublin.
Readings for unhealthy abdominal fat went down and BMI dropped almost 3 points from 28.4 kg/m² to an average of 25.5 kg/m².
dr Takahiro Fujimoto, who led the research, said, “Our results suggest that ear acupuncture combined with diet and exercise may contribute to weight loss.”
“Acupuncture is likely to have beneficial effects by curbing cravings and appetite, improving digestion, and boosting metabolism.”
The researchers acknowledged that the observational study in a small group over a short period of time led to limitations.
Experts also suggested that other elements of the intervention may have driven weight loss, such as keeping a food journal, which raises people’s awareness of their diet.
Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, wasn’t convinced it works, adding that the treatment is “almost as old as mountains”.
He said, “When it first came out in the early 1990s, there was some hype, but like dieting, it didn’t live up to the promise.”
“The weight lost soon picked up again and was minimal anyway.” And if you were asked to reduce your food intake by 50 percent today, there’s a good chance you’d be significantly leaner by August.”
Cambridge University Statistics Professor Emeritus Sir David Spiegelhalter said: “This study showed that a group of men who were taught to lose weight and who were monitored regularly managed to lose weight on average.”
“It doesn’t show anything about the beads at all, so it seems like a complete waste of time for everyone involved.”
“I can’t see why this should be held at a scientific conference, let alone published in the press.”
What should a balanced diet look like?
According to the NHS, meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grain
• Eat at least 5 portions of different fruits and vegetables daily. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Base meals are potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This equates to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat granola biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole-wheat bread, and 1 large baked potato with its skin on
• Consume some dairy products or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks) and choose lower-fat, lower-sugar options
• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish each week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat them in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water daily
• Adults should consume less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women and 30g for men per day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
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