The Effects of the Combined Therapy of Acupuncture and Yoga Exercise on Weight Loss

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of combination of acupuncture and ayuveda yoga exercise on weight loss for the overweight.

Obesity is a common health problem in developed countries. At present,the medical staff have already been alerted that the obesity is a kind of disease actually and one of the epidemic diseases which erode the human health in the world. It is not only about the person's health but also a main public health problem. It has been caught to our attention that some diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases,diabetes, and high blood pressure are coming along with overweight and obesity. Recent studies had demonstrated a positive correlation between chronic diseases and obesity. There are many treatments for the obesity, in general, acupuncture may be an effective one. Acupuncture may suppress the people's appetite, slow down the stomach's creeping motion, and increase the stomach's evacuation time. Simultaneously, acupuncture controls the body through the absorption and storage of the calorie via the adjustment of the endocrine system. But we still need a more efficiency way to accelerate the body fat metabolism and decrease the storage of the fat in vivo. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of combination of acupuncture and ayuveda yoga exercise on weight loss among the overweight.

Acupuncture about 30 mins will be performed by a traditional Chinese physician three times a week for 3 months.

Outcome measure compares the changes in biochemical profile of blood including cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein/blood sugar during 3 months treatment. Peripheral blood will be collected at 2 different times. (1) baseline data: before intervention, (2) outcome data: at 3 months post-intervention.

Immune function will be assessed by blood analysis including lymphocyte subpopulations (Th1/ Th2/ Treg/ Th17), polarization (T-bet/ Gata-3/ Foxp3/ RORrt), its related cytokines (Th1: IL-12/ IFN-γ/ IL-27; Th2: IL-4/ IL-13/ IL-25; Th17: IL-17A/ IL-6/ IL-21; Treg: TGF-β/ IL-10) during 3 months treatment. Peripheral blood will be collected at 2 different times. (1) baseline data: before intervention, (2) outcome data: at 3 months post-intervention.