When attempting weight loss, techniques like acupressure, self hypnosis and neuroprogramming, which are approaches utilized by AcuAids are probably the least understood. However everyday more research is being done in these areas. So, it is exciting to read this recent study regarding the benefits of acupuncture to lose weight. And, to make it even more interesting they focused on the benefits of acupuncture point stimulation on diabetes. If a diabetic condition can be improved upon utilizing this approach and weight reduction is one of the benefits, imagine the results that can occur for individuals without diabetes.
Researchers from the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine in Wuhan China recently conducted an animal acupuncture study to better understand how acupuncture aids diabetes. As we have seen through clinical usage and other studies acupuncture appears to benefit insulin resistance in diabetic patients. What we do not yet understand is how this happens. This team of researchers used electro-acupuncture on mice to better understand the metabolic effects on obese and type II diabetes. In this study treatment was performed five times a week for eight consecutive weeks.
Herein lies one of the main obstacles in the study. Who has time or can afford to see an acupuncturist five times a week for eight weeks in a row. Well, AcuAids acupressure for weight loss resolves this problem. You can do acupuncture point stimulation everyday. And, you don’t have to repeatedly rub on acupuncture points.
Aside from that obstacle which can be resolved, the effects were far reaching in that they found:
1. Slowed increases in fasting blood glucose. In other words blood sugar was better balanced. This is a huge problem for weight issues that lead to obesity. The more level your blood sugar the fewer cravings and reduced likelihood of storing sugar as fat. If that were the only benefit found in this study it would be a huge success.
2. Reduced food intake. This is pretty easy to understand. If you eat less, you control sugar intake and lose weight.
3. Maintained insulin levels Improved insulin sensitivity (via intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test). Sugar is transported into the cells with insulin. If this process is improved upon blood sugar levels are better balanced. Fewer spikes in blood sugar means a reduction of sugar being converted to fat, thus weight loss can occur.
4. Increased expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in skeletal muscle. This is a little bit harder to explain. Sirtuin is involved in cellular biochemical function. If it is increased then the cell actually functions better thus insulin uptake and sugar usage improve. Something else that is remarkable is sirtuin has been called the key to the fountain of youth. Increase in it’s expression has been related to anti-aging.
5. Induced gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor y coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and acyl-CoA oxidase(ACOX). These substances are involved with energy metabolism and have been associated with obesity when inhibited.
Together these results indicate beneficial effects of acupuncture with the biochemical reasoning being at least in part due to stimulation of SIRT1/PCG-1α which improves the insulin signal. And now in English, this means better sugar handling, insulin control, appetite suppression, improved cellular function, all of which will result in improved diabetes and weight management. And with AcuAids you have the opportunity to experience these benefits for yourself without office visits and the overwhelming expense.
