Single acupoint or multiple acupoints acupuncture
stimulation significantly reduced blood lipids in patients with hyperlipidemias
in Thailand, according to a study recently published by Complementary Therapies
in Clinical Practice.
Blood lipids (or blood fats) are mainly cholesterol and
fatty acids (phospholipids and triglycerides). An excessive level of lipids
and/or lipoproteins in the blood is known as hyperlipidemia and is a major risk
factor for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers in Thailand carried out a randomized,
controlled, open-label, clinical study to compare the efficacy of multiple
acupoints and single acupoint, Fenglong (ST40) in controlling blood lipids in
hyperlipidemic patients. Sixty patients were randomly divided into three
groups: multi acupoints group (n=20), Fenglon acupoint group (n=20) and control
group (n=20). Acupuncture was performed 2 times a week for 8 weeks. The serum
lipid level (cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides) was measured before
the beginning of (base line) and at the end of acupuncture and follow-up (week
12). The data showed that serum levels of lipids were significantly reduced
within both treatment groups at the end of acupuncture compared to the base line.
Follow-up examine showed both total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (“bad
cholesterol” because it transports fatty molecules into artery walls) in the blood
was still significantly lower in both treatment groups than the control group.
The study showed that acupuncture treatment either with
multi acupoints or single acupoint is very effective in reducing blood lipids
for sustainable periods. This may explain the underlying mechanism of therapeutic
weight loss effect of acupuncture.
Reference:
Rerksuppaphol L et
al., A randomized controlled trial of electroacupuncture at body acupoints and
Fenglong for regulating serum lipids in dyslipidemic patients in Thailand. Complement
Ther Clin Pract. 2014 Feb;20(1):26-31. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24439641
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