Weight Loss – Five Recommended Ways to Lose Weight

Healthy weight loss is a process that requires balance between nutrition, activity and lifestyle – not simply counting calories. Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, offers a different perspective on the process: it views excess weight as the result of an imbalance in the flow of energy and fluids in the body, rather than only a result of overeating. Modern research supports the idea that acupuncture treatment, alongside Chinese herbal medicine and an adjusted lifestyle, can support weight loss by improving bowel function, blood circulation and metabolic rate. Below are five practical principles you can incorporate into daily life to support the process.

Balancing tastes and their role in weight loss

Chinese medicine recognizes five basic tastes – bitter, pungent, sweet, salty and sour – each affecting the body differently. The bitter taste is considered especially helpful for weight loss, since bitter foods are harder to overeat, and they help cleanse the intestines and clear toxins. In addition, bitter tastes encourage the secretion of digestive enzymes that improve communication between the nervous system and the brain regarding satiety. Examples of bitter foods include cucumber, radish, asparagus and various types of lettuce, and it is worth introducing them into your daily diet gradually.

Moving Qi and daily physical activity

According to Chinese theory, Qi – the body’s life energy – needs to flow freely. When Qi becomes stuck or blocked, it creates a phenomenon known as “dampness,” a condition linked in Chinese medicine to the accumulation of excess fat. It is therefore important to move Qi daily through gentle activity such as tai chi, qigong, yoga or breathing exercises, as well as through acupuncture, which helps release blockages. Certain foods, such as green tea, celery, melon, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, are also considered helpful for moving energy.

Green tea, herbal tea and Chinese herbs

As is well known, calories consumed through sweetened drinks do not contribute to a healthy weight-loss process, but Chinese medicine takes this a step further and recommends replacing sweetened drinks with tea. Tea has been used in China for thousands of years to help break down fat, prevent constipation and clear toxins, while also strengthening Qi. It is especially recommended after fatty meals. Traditional Chinese herbs such as lotus leaf, cassia seed, hawthorn and Polygonatum odoratum have been used for generations to support weight loss, and it is best to consult a qualified practitioner before combining them.

Drinking water the right way

The classic advice to drink plenty of water also holds true in Chinese medicine, with an important nuance. It is recommended to drink a cup of warm water early in the morning, to help cleanse the system, encourage bowel movement and restart metabolic processes. However, Chinese medicine cautions against drinking large amounts of water during the meal itself, since this can impair digestion and create a feeling of food “stagnation” in the stomach.

Pressing acupuncture points on the ear to reduce appetite

Acupuncture includes dedicated points on the ear for regulating appetite. They are located on the small piece of cartilage opposite the entrance to the ear canal, known as the tragus. Gentle, circular pressure on these points for 30 to 90 seconds, about 10 to 20 minutes before a meal, may help regulate feelings of hunger and prevent overeating. You can do this yourself, alternating between both ears, as a simple and pleasant addition to your routine.

Book a Treatment

Combining acupuncture, tailored nutrition and an active lifestyle can support a healthy, balanced weight-loss process, as part of holistic care rather than a substitute for nutritional or medical advice. Shai Davids sees patients at clinics in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan, and creates a personal treatment plan for each patient that combines acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. To schedule an initial consultation, feel free to get in touch and arrange a time that works for you.