Bizarre, new scientifically-proven way to help you lose weight

For anyone who wants to lose weight, this technique will leave you all ears.

Acupuncture, which uses tiny balls instead of needles, can take up to four inches off your waist when used on the ears, new research suggests.

With its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, beads or “seeds” are attached to six points on the outer ear to stimulate nerves and organs that regulate appetite, satiety and hunger.

Those who used the technique managed to reduce food intake by half for three months and significantly reduced weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat.

The study involved 81 Japanese men, ages 21 to 78, who were either overweight or obese, with an average BMI of 28.4 and high in unhealthy belly fat.

Each was weighed and measured at the start and end of treatment, including body weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, muscle mass, BMI and abdominal fat.

Known as auricular acupuncture, it was given using 1.5mm metal ear beads on six points of the outer ear – representing the food pipe, upper abdominal opening, stomach, lungs and endocrine system.

Beads were stuck to these points on both ears to ensure that participants received constant, even pressure on each of the six acupuncture points, which were replaced twice a week during hospital visits.

Participants were asked to reduce their total food intake by half over the three months of their treatment and kept food diaries.

Researchers at Clinic F, Tokyo, Japan, found that participants lost an average of 10.4 cm from their waist circumference, from an average of 98.4 cm to 88 cm.

They also lost 4 percent of total body fat, typically from 28.2 percent to 24.3 percent according to research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Dublin.

The measurements of unhealthy belly fat decreased and the BMI decreased by almost 3 points from an average of 28.4 kg/m² to 25.5 kg/m².

Dr. Takahiro Fujimoto, who led the study, said: ‘Our findings suggest that acupuncture applied to the ear may aid weight loss when combined with diet and exercise.

“It is likely that acupuncture has a positive effect by curbing cravings and appetite, improving digestion and boosting metabolism.”

Researchers acknowledged limitations, including an observational study in a small group over a short period of time.

Experts also suggested that other elements of the intervention could have boosted weight loss, such as keeping a food diary that makes people more aware of their diet.

Tam Fry, president of the National Obesity Forum, was not convinced it works, adding that the treatment is “almost as old as the hills.”

He said: ‘There was hype about it when it first launched in the early 1990s, but like fad diets, it didn’t deliver what it promised.

“The weight that was lost came back on quickly and was minimal anyway. And if you’re asked to cut your food intake by 50 percent today, chances are you’ll be much slimmer by August.”

Sir David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics, University of Cambridge, said: ‘This study showed that a group of men who were taught how to lose weight and were monitored regularly achieved, on average, weight loss.

“It doesn’t say anything about the beads at all, which is why it seems like a complete waste of time for everyone involved.

“I can’t fathom why this would be at a scientific conference let alone a press release.”

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 servings of different fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

• Basic meals based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains

• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat muesli biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole-wheat bread, and a large baked potato with skin

• Provide dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks) and choose lower-fat, lower-sugar options

• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish per week, one of which is fatty)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume in small quantities

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day

• Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide