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Points -  Ask the Doctor

Q: Dear Dr. Wing, can acupuncture treatment help me to lose weight and what is the best diet for me to keep fit?

A:   To answer your question, first of all, I have to say, yes, acupuncture can help one lose weight if the person follows the treatment protocols provided by his/her acupuncture practitioner. Generally speaking, the acupuncture practitioner gives appropriate guidance according to each individual’s condition. In addition to acupuncture treatment, herbal medicine may also be needed in concert to regulate the body’s metabolism. Moreover, diet, life style, exercise, and emotional stress balance are also crucial in achieving long term body fitness. I won’t say to just rely on acupuncture alone and expect magic to happen-- with all the excess weight falling off. However, I believe that if one can let acupuncture and herbal medicine regulate the body, enjoy proper a diet, engage in regular exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle, the goal of losing weight will be realized. Yes, there are cases that not see much improvement due to genetic or other various factors involved.

Now dear reader, as to the diet, from the viewpoint of TCM nutrition, it is also according to each individual body type or condition that different nutritional protocols are given that fit the individual. Therefore, we need to find out what body type according to TCM theory that we are dealing with so to find the best way of getting started. In general, the TCM nutritional role is that “balance” is the key in diet. Balance in the diet is essential for good health and to keep fit. TCM nutrition applies the traditional healing properties of foods to correct disharmonies within the body, and hence, restore the balance of the metabolism. Someone may misunderstand and try to skip meals or cut down on food intake to lose weight and then end up not just failing to lose a few more pounds, but then wondering why the body gets weaker. Well, duh!! Skipping meals can only injure the body’s digestive system and slow down the metabolism rate; consequently, this is not a good way to do to keep fit. Avoid sugar, and especially artificial sweeteners, high salt intake, greasy food, and fast foods in the diet. Have a greater variety of high fiber vegetables daily. All of this will support the acupuncture and herb regimen in the patient’s quest to lose weight and leave that ever growing group of overweight Americans. No, I am not writing this from the local “Eat more Fast Food Palace.”

About our Doctors

This month's Ask the Doctor question was answered by:

Wing-benn Deng, BS, MATCM, PhD, Dipl Ac & CH (NCCAOM), LAc
BS, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of California, San Diego
MATCM, Yo San University of TCM
Ph.D., American Liberty University

Wing-Benn currently serves at Yo San University in Los Angeles as the Herb Lab Manager and he has his own private practice at the Yo San Clinic. He also teaches courses including Chinese Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Nutrition, Acupuncture, and a State Board Review class. His private practice includes pain management (sports injuries, arthritis, joint and back pain, migraines and chronic headaches), allergies, high blood pressure, stress management, male and female infertility, Tuina (massage), nutritional counseling, and treatment of senior citizen health problems. Wing-Benn delivered a well-received series of community lectures for seniors as part of YSU’s Advancing Healthy Aging program.

For more info on Dr. Deng, click here

June 2007
Volume 5, Number 6

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