Does acupuncture help insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), high blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and metabolic syndrome. Most commonly you may be familiar with its relation to diabetes, as diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world. Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t easily remove excess glucose from your blood. There currently are no medications, specifically that can, treat it. However, diabetes medications like Metformin are commonly prescribed in addition to lifestyle changes, increasing physical activity, and weight loss are key pieces in the treatment of insulin resistance. Many seek additional help to reduce symptoms, get blood glucose regulated, and consider acupuncture for help. Which poses the question, does acupuncture help insulin resistance?

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture has many health benefits from reducing pain and inflammation, regulating sleep, and boosting mood. Interesting, there is more research coming out showing how acupuncture can help with metabolism, obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance. One of the theories on how acupuncture can help is how acupuncture can stimulate certain neurotransmitters in the brain as well as help to regulate hormones. There has been several studies looking at how acupuncture can help glucose metabolism and lowering HbA1c levels as well as BMI improvement. Results showed that acupuncture could help lower HbA1c levels in diabetic patients.

Another study found that acupuncture could provide beneficial effects to those with insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, inflammation, and obesity. More specifically, another study looked at methodology and found using electroacupuncture (at low frequency and intensity) by itself or with other therapies such as diet and exercise, has the potential to be an effective treatment option. 

Check out Dr. Heintze’s previous post on ways to reduce inflammation, here. 

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Sources:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291345095_Weight_loss_therapy_with_acupuncture_effecting_HbA1c_levels_Diabetic_Medications_Conference_2015_Las_Vegas

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20590731/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27256547/