Five Alternative Treatments To Lose Weight
Some people turn to alternative methods such as massage and acupuncture when traditional weight loss strategies fail. Get the skinny before you lose weight.
You’ve tried everything low-cal, low fat, and low-carb. You have tried everything from Weight Watchers and Atkins but the scale is still refusing to cooperate for the long-term. This might be the right time to look into an alternative method of weight loss.
There are many weight loss methods that claim to work, but you must be selective in choosing the right one. These are the top ideas, from acupuncture and hypnosis. Expert opinions on which ones work and which don’t.
1. Acupuncture For Weight Loss
What is it: Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese healing technique, is based on the belief that “qi,” which is energy, flows through the body along 14 meridians. These correspond roughly to the organs of the body. The underlying theory behind Acupuncture is that disruptions in the energy flow can cause health problems like obesity. Acupuncture aims to restore balance.
How it works: Acupuncture practitioners inject thin metal needles under the skin at specific points to stimulate the tissue and remove blockages in the energy flow.
Is it effective? Although acupuncture is widely recognized as a treatment for many ailments, such as headaches, stroke rehabilitation and pain relief, little research has been done on its effectiveness in weight loss. A meta-analysis of seven studies published in Obesity found that some people can lose weight and have less hunger. The authors note that not all studies were accurate and more research is required before acupuncture can prove to be effective. Daisy Merey MD, PhD is a weight-loss specialist and author of many books including Beyond Diet and Exercise and The Merey Way to Health Weight. She says that acupuncture works well for pain relief but not for dieting.
2. Acupressure For Weight Loss
It is a form of acupuncture that is very similar to acupuncture, but without the needles.
It works by applying finger pressure to specific points on the body.
Is it effective? Acupressure is effective in relieving chronic pain. However, there has not been much evidence to support weight loss. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants who received acupressure treatment lost 2.5 more pounds than those who attended a support group after six months. However, there is still much to be done to determine if acupressure is effective.
3. Hypnosis For Weight Loss
It is what it is: Hypnosis derives its name from the Greek word “to sleep” and uses techniques to relax people.
How it works: Serious hypnosis is usually performed over several sessions, rather than the dramatic scenes depicted in movies. The clinical hypnotist or hypnotherapist uses techniques like guided imagery and posthypnotic suggestion to encourage positive changes such as healthy eating.
Is it possible? Jean Fritz, who was a self-described yoyo dieter tried hypnosis to lose weight after she went through menopause. She gained 40 pounds in just two years. She says, “Fortunately, I’m a highly suggestible individual and after my first session I noticed that I had stopped craving sugar and chocolate.” She claims she felt calm and well-being, and was able change her diet easily. She has lost 30 pounds so far. She adds that she is still working towards her 130-pound weight goal and has not reverted to her old ways.
4. Ayurveda To Lose Weight
It is simply: Ayurvedic medicine or Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. It originated thousands of years ago in India. It aims to balance body, mind and spirit.
It’s done in a variety of ways. Ayurveda, on the other hand, is a holistic approach that tailors to each individual. It offers a variety of therapies, including massage, diet, herbs, and massage.
Is it effective? Clinical research on Aryurveda for weight loss is limited, as with many other alternative methods. However, Aryuveda has strong supporters such as Denise Baron from New Mexico. She was so impressed by her almost 25-pound weight loss that she became an Ayurveda wellness counselor. Baron states that Aryuveda treats the nervous system in general, including diet, lifestyle and self-massage. Methods could include drinking hot water with lemon throughout the day to stimulate digestion, meditation and breathing exercises. We might also recommend herbs from the grocery store or kitchen.
5. Natural Weight Loss Supplements
What is it? Weight loss supplements are usually pills or powders that contain one of the following dietary ingredients: Vitamins, minerals, herbs, other botanicals, amino acid, and any other substances you use as part your diet.
How they work: Supplements have a multi-billion dollar market. The weight-loss industry, which has many types of supplements, is a major part of this. Most over-the-counter dietary supplement are designed to suppress hunger and increase metabolism.
Are they effective? A recent review of many diet supplements by the College of Public Health and Human Sciences of Oregon State University found that there is no evidence to show that any product, regardless of whether it’s designed to increase metabolism or suppress appetite, can lead to weight loss. Although green tea, fiber and calcium supplements, as well as dairy products, may be beneficial in weight loss, stimulants have been shown to have more negative effects than positive.
Bill Gottlieb, a co-author of The Natural Weight-Loss Pharmacy and a health coach, says that although dietary supplements can be helpful in weight loss, they are not going to make it all possible. The average person doesn’t have five to ten pounds to lose. It is more common to be overweight if you have 20 or 30 or 40 pounds to lose. Gottlieb advises against taking multiple supplements. He suggests that you only use one agent, from a trusted manufacturer, and one that has been around for a while. Remember that supplements are not subject to the same FDA regulations as medications. This means that you should get your vitamins and minerals from whole foods rather than supplements.
