Obesity, Antibiotics and Acupuncture (March 18, 2014)
A recent editorial in the New York Times discussed the possibility of antibiotic use in humans producing the same weight gain effect as it does in animals. (It cited some pretty suggestive evidence, too.) A letter writer pointed out in response that the average American eats almost two pounds of food more a week than s/he did in the 1970s, which is when the obesity epidemic is considered to have begun. And so another controversy begins.
Antibiotic-related weight gain would probably result from damage to the normal bacteria of gut, the importance of which stopped being "fringe medicine" quite some time ago. Gut bacteria are known to be important in many aspects of digestion, vitamin synthesis, and immune system function, and their disruption is implicated in more disorders all the time -- obesity is only one of the more recent ones.
Last year a well-publicized study came out that was very supportive of the use of acupuncture (specifically some points on the ear) for use in weight loss. These particular points are meant to be calming, decrease hunger, and somewhat adjust the metabolism. Additional points on the body can be added to supplement the ear points, or to address other related issues at the same time. But because weight loss and weight maintenance involve so many factors, I would be wary of using acupuncture for weight loss unless the individual was already VERY motivated to lose weight and on a good weight loss program. I know that sounds like hedging, and I suppose it is and I'm sorry, but truly there are no magic answers to the chronic health issues of our time. We are starting to understand them better, however, and hopefully with more understanding will come better solutions.
--dr. diane holmes
Copyright © 2014
A recent editorial in the New York Times discussed the possibility of antibiotic use in humans producing the same weight gain effect as it does in animals. (It cited some pretty suggestive evidence, too.) A letter writer pointed out in response that the average American eats almost two pounds of food more a week than s/he did in the 1970s, which is when the obesity epidemic is considered to have begun. And so another controversy begins.
Antibiotic-related weight gain would probably result from damage to the normal bacteria of gut, the importance of which stopped being "fringe medicine" quite some time ago. Gut bacteria are known to be important in many aspects of digestion, vitamin synthesis, and immune system function, and their disruption is implicated in more disorders all the time -- obesity is only one of the more recent ones.
Last year a well-publicized study came out that was very supportive of the use of acupuncture (specifically some points on the ear) for use in weight loss. These particular points are meant to be calming, decrease hunger, and somewhat adjust the metabolism. Additional points on the body can be added to supplement the ear points, or to address other related issues at the same time. But because weight loss and weight maintenance involve so many factors, I would be wary of using acupuncture for weight loss unless the individual was already VERY motivated to lose weight and on a good weight loss program. I know that sounds like hedging, and I suppose it is and I'm sorry, but truly there are no magic answers to the chronic health issues of our time. We are starting to understand them better, however, and hopefully with more understanding will come better solutions.
--dr. diane holmes
Copyright © 2014