Obesity has become an epidemic problem in this country. With the very real health consequences of Type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and a host of other health related problems, this epidemic is costing the United States billions of dollars and shortening the life expectancy of a whole generation. So what do we do? Not to worry, there are a few multi-billion dollar industries that are here to take your money and “help”.
The weight loss industry makes upwards of $20 billion annually. This is staggering and only possible if the weight loss that they promise does not actually yield sustainable results. Think about it, if it actually worked, people would lose weight, they would not gain the weight back and no longer need to spend money on all of these gimmicks and systems. The products that these companies sell are highly processed and do not even resemble the food that they originally started as. The foods are actually stripped of so much of their nutritional value that they have to ADD nutrients back in and these are normally in the form of synthetic, manufactured vitamins and minerals! Let me ask you, do you think that your body can more readily recognize and utilize actual, real, whole foods or something that has been processed beyond recognition and has synthetic nutrients added to it? Not only that but if your body can not easily recognize what you are putting in it, how do you think it is going to react? It can actually react as though these things are toxins and foreign substances, even triggering an immune response. Overtaxing your bodies detoxification and immune system is a recipe for disaster. You are quite simply being duped, you may be harming your body and you are paying for the privilege.
How about the exercise industry? US fitness centers and health clubs rake in over $25 billion annually and that does not include all of the fitness gear, machines and paraphernalia that people buy for their own homes. How about walking, how much does that cost you? Yoga? You can find classes for $5 and even free ones. Yoga 3-4 days a week and walking the other days is really all the exercise you will ever need. Many of the exercises we do in this country are actually depleting to our bodies. Then we wonder why we are so exhausted and need gallons of caffeine to get through the day!
Ah, but you don’t have to worry about all of that, if you end up with diabetes or heart disease or any of the other myriad problems the result from eating too much of the wrong types of food, the pharmaceutical industry will ride to your rescue! Medications to “control” your blood sugar, your cholesterol, your blood pressure are conveniently available and will cost you very little with your health care plan. Spending on prescription drugs alone is approaching $300 billion annually. So who do you think is paying for this. Oh, you forgot about the $400, $800, $1000 dollars that is coming out of your paycheck on a monthly basis for your health care plan. On top of this, these drugs often do not turn out to do what they are supposed to do, come with side effects and NEVER address the problem so you are still sick!
If it sounds like I am angry about this, I am. As a country, we are spending billions upon billions of dollars on a problem that should cost next to nothing to solve and we are getting both sicker and more overweight year after year. It can be daunting, confusing and sometimes we need help and guidance. However, once you are on the right path, very little time, effort or money should be required.
A holistic approach to weight loss can yield sustainable, healthy weight loss and acupuncture can be one of the pieces to the puzzle. As you may have read in my earlier blog post Top Ten Benefits of Acupuncture You Need To Know Now a recent weight loss study showed a 6.1% reduction in BMI while those that received “sham” acupuncture showed no reduction at all. In as little as two weeks, results can be seen and sustained reductions achieved between two weeks and four months. Obviously, acupuncture alone will not cause you to magically lose weight. However, acupuncture can help manage stress, reduce cravings and allow your body to better process the food that you do eat. And the costs? Pennies when compared to the billions of dollars that we are spending on something that is simply not working. A mixture of other diet and lifestyle changes will also be necessary and at Princeton Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, we will evaluate you on an individual basis and help you come up with the right combination that you will be able to live with, for the rest of your life.
Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!