An Australian study on acupuncture has shown stunning results in the effect of acupuncture in suppressing apptetite and as we know many people have a problem with appetite and that causes them to fail on diets. Why not try to lose weight by suppressing your diet with acupuncture. Most people are scared to try acupuncture for anything because of course no one wants to be poked with needles. From everything that I have heard the needles used in acupuncture do not hurt at all and there is so much history and success with this method of health treatment that we should really be taking this more seriously.

Objective of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Many overweight people are aware that diets can help with weight loss but have difficulty in suppressing their appetite. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points on appetite suppression.

Testing method for acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Sixty overweight subjects, randomly divided into an active and a control group, used the AcuSlim device twice daily for four weeks. The active group attached the AcuSlim to the acupuncture ear points shenmen and stomach, whereas the control group attached the device to their thumb where there are no acupuncture points. The goal of a 2 kg weight loss was set and changes in appetite and weight were reported after four weeks.

Results of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Of those who responded, 95% of the active group noticed suppression of appetite, whereas none of the control group noticed such a change. None of the control group lost the required 2 kg, with only 4 subjects losing any weight at all. Both the number of subjects who lost weight and the mean weight loss were significantly higher in the active group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads to weight loss.

So there we have it. This seems to be a great study in showing that acupuncture is indeed a great way to help you perhaps lose weight. Why not book an appointment with the needles and find out if it will work for you.

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Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

I don’t want to go into too much detail about last nights episode of the Biggest Loser, instead I just want to dwell on the lack of weight loss over the last two weeks on the show.

If you remember the first week of this season of the Biggest Loser, everyone lost big weight and now over the last two weeks just about everyone is losing 3-5 pounds per week. This is very disappointing to the people on the show I can imagine because they have gone from a basically sedentary lifestyle with unlimited food to a very regimented 3-4 hours a day (I am guessing) of exercise and a very strict diet.

So, this of course begs the question, “Why are the biggest losers ont losing a lot of weight?”. Well the reason that everyone lost a lot of weight during the first week of the Biggest Loser was due in a large part to exercise and eating change coupled with a lot of water weight loss. You only get the chance to lose weight these ways once per diet so they will not work for very long.

Now over the last two weeks the biggest losers are now going through the pases of tougher and tougher exercise while keeping their diets clean. The losses from all of those workouts should obviously be helping them lose weight but the bodies of the players are at this point probably going through the turmoil of the changes and everyone is having some kind of metabolism problem.

One of the things that we are really seeing is the sleep problems that people are having. With all of the exercise and injuries these guys are needing a lot of time to heal but with all of this exercise and changed diet the regular circadian rythym that would have them sleep deep is all screwed up as well.

So lets say that over the next couple of week everyones bodies will start to adjust, metabolisms will rise and the weight loss will start to really mount up. What should these guys do to make sure that they feel good and don’t go into a depression over the lack of weight loss.

First, remember the changes that are taking place in their bodies are temporary – know that as lifestyle changes your body needs to slowly catch up.

Secondly, make sure that you don’t look for shortcuts – starving yourself or doing an extra couple of hours of cardio or weights in the short term will scare your body into preserving fat and in the long term will lead to discouragment in the process.

Thirdly, make sure that you have the end in mind – Changing your life for the better is a process and change in habits. As long as the players trust that they are going to lose the 100 pounds or whatever eventually and that the plan will work. Lifestyle changes (exercise and better eating not crazy amounts of exercise and not eating) are going to be permanent and therefore the weight loss will be permanent.

None of us know what next week will bring but sometime over the next couple of weeks we are going to see these guys lose a lot of weight again, 8-12 pounds in a week at their level will be more normal but of course it all depends on the outside and internal influences to the eating and exercise.

The measurement for a successful low carb diet plan is to lose weight. Right? Well actually no, it isn’t. The real measurement is that you are able to keep the weight off year after year. A diet is not just for today and tomorrow but is actually a lifestyle change. So, what is the real important parts of a low carb diet plans?A simple foundation that can be relied upon is to ingest fewer foods that have a high calorie count such as foods that contain processed flour and sugar. You then replace the high calorie foods with foods that have fewer calories. This can be accomplished by eating healthy sources of protein, whole grains and of course fresh vegetables and fruits.

The next thought that comes into your head is “Easier said than done”. Actually it is not quite as hard to accomplish as you might think. These tips will help you get off to a good start and keep the weight off successfully for years to come.

1. Reduce the size of the portions. By measuring your healthy portions of proteins, vegetables and fruits you will reduce the carbohydrates and maintain the proper level of calories needed daily.

2. Eat four to five times a day. You accomplish a couple things by eating this often. As you digest your food your metabolism rate will be increased by the activity, thus burning more calories. In addition to that you will find that you won’t be as hungry each time that you eat.

3. Avoid eating after six o’clock p.m. If you must eat or snack after 6 p.m. do so with low carb foods, such as yogurt, organic fruits and veggies.

4. Eat foods with high unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, nuts and fish. These foods are a natural barrier to diseases that can attack your body.

5. Enhance your low-carb diet plan by eating organic foods when possible. Foods such as raw honey, wild smoked salmon, tomatoes, rye bread and there are even organic red meats, pork and chicken.

6. Prepare the menu for the week ahead. This enables you to do your shopping for the healthiest foods without being rushed.

7. Broil and grill your meats when possible. Prior to broiling or grilling the meat, make certain to trim off excess fat and remove the skin where possible. Enhance the flavor of meats using your favorite natural spices.

8. Drink bottled water or filtered water. This will keep your body hydrated and cleansed. For the best effect with the low-carb diet it is suggested drinking 64 oz. per day.

9. The Dreaded Tip: Exercise. A mild exercise such as walking at least 30 minutes a day will increase the metabolic rate of your body.

10. Positive attitude. This tip perhaps may be the most important tip of all. Believe in your ability to follow a plan and to lose weight.By implementing these tips you will have more success with your long term weight loss when using your low carb diet plan.

I have mentioned before and I am sure I will mention again the idea that you need to eat small meals several times a day and most importantly you need to plan your meals and meal times. I can tell a story to illustrate this.

On Thursday I went into work and before I got a chance to site down I got called out to another building for a meeting. My regular morning starts with a bagel and jam and then another snack halfway between then and lunch but not today. I got to the first meeting (a little foreshadowing here) and had a cup of coffee, the meeting went long and I got dragged into another long meeting. By the time my first two meetings were done it was 11:30 and my wife called me to invite my to lunch at the Olive Garden. I accepted, had an apple and then went to the Olive Garden were I stuffed myself.

After eating too much for lunch I dragged myself through the afternoon and then finally ate a couple pieces of pizza for dinner at 8:00 and went to bed at 10:30.

Thursday had to be my worst eating day in months. I had two crappy quality meals and nothing much else. Not a proud day for me that is for sure.

So how do you get around these kinds of eating days? Well there are a few ways:

• The night before plan what and when you will eat the next day
• Have three meals planned and good healthy snacks that are easy to make
• When you start your day make sure that you have a good look at your calendar so that you know if anything will get in the way
• Do not bring any extra treats, if you have them you will eat them first (I would)

One of the things that I really do is to usually follow these rules and after next to no time you do not have to worry about eating these bloating giant meals and your energy will be more balanced and higher on a regular basis .

Is Britney Spears Fat? That is a question that came up yesterday across the mass media and it is something that we really need to look at in our society. Let’s say for a minute that we see Britney on video and think

“Oh my, she has sure gotten fat”

Well that was my reaction anyway, not fair to be sure as at least 95% of all people are fatter than Britney Spears were Sunday and still I thought she was fat.

The fact versus the perception is the important thing to look at. If I look at Britney Spears 5 years ago I see a young girl with almost 0% bodyfat and perfect lighting to accentuate any curves that she had anyway as she danced quickly around a stage with a bunch of dancers following her around. Sunday night was different. Five years and two kids have passed, we have ll heard all the stories about the Hard Partying, failed marriage, bad parenting and more and we almost want to see her fail so that Britney Spears can learn that she can’t get away with doing these awful things.

Sunday night’s performance was bad. Still scantily clad, moving slowly and with very poor choreography we got to see a 25 year old Britney Spears as a more normal person (although most normal people do not dance on a stage in underwear). Looking at her you know that she could make a huge comeback and be ripped again in only a matter of months if she wanted to but the perception that we have is the difference between a ridiculous stereotype of 5 years ago and a reflection to what Britney is today.

And no, Britney Spears is not fat