Overweight adults who received acupuncture at five points on their ears (points associated with hunger and digestion) for eight weeks had lower BMIs and weighed less overall than those who did not, finds a small clinical trial published in Acupuncture in Medicine. “Research has suggested that acupuncture influences appetite through its effect on the nervous system, which controls various appetite hormones such as leptin and ghrelin,” says Acupuncture in Medicine editor Adrian White, PhD. “This mechanism is promising, though we still have to say speculative.” While getting ear acupuncture isn’t a shortcut to a great body, those appetite-curbing effects, along with its de-stressing effects, can help. “Acupuncture in the ear makes you feel calm and relaxed so you won’t have a stress-eating response,” says Daniel Hsu, DAOM, LAc, a licensed acupuncturist based in New York City. It also helps regulate circadian rhythms for better sleep, another factor that helps you resist cravings and stay slim, he says. With benefits like these, adding it to your weight loss plan can only be positive. “Acupuncture is not going to take the place of a healthy diet and moderate exercise,” Dr. Hsu says. “But it’s a good piece of the puzzle.” More from Prevention: 6 Science-Based Benefits of Acupuncture
