According to the American Obesity Association, 127 million adults are overweight, and 60 million meet the criteria for obesity. This health epidemic affects not only the patient's quality of life, but also results in a cost of $12.7 billion dollars annually to US businesses in loss of productivity and health and life insurance costs. Additionally, obesity is linked to over 30 health medical conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, and Heart Disease. Approximately 300,000 deaths each year are attributed to obesity.

Although Americans spend $35 billion annually on weight-loss products and services, the rate of obesity has spread to 30.5% of adults over the age of twenty. With the high failure rate of fad diets many Americans are now turning to alternative solutions. Those seeking long term lifestyle changes and true health stability are now including the use of Acupuncture and Tai Chi to achieve their health goals.

Acupuncture and Tai Chi are a great addition to any weight loss plan. When beginning a diet, many people experience food withdrawals from a lack of endorphins they are used to receiving through comfort foods. These cravings can lead to dangerous food binges, guilt, and shame. Acupuncture and Tai Chi are a great way to counter-balance these cravings, as they release endorphins into the brain, which helps alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of various foods.

Weight gain can also be caused by stress, which increases Cortisol in the body. An increase in Cortisol can alter a person's metabolism causing a stressed-out person to store more fat than usual. By releasing endorphins into the body these therapies reduce the level of stress and curtail the over-production of Cortisol in the body.

Tai Chi and Acupuncture are also effective in stimulating the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that regulates the autonomic nervous system and controls appetite and hormone production. Regulating the body's thyroid and hormone levels, through these therapies are effective in aiding weight-loss.

Still, the ultimate means of regulating weight is through eating healthy and increasing exercise. The use of Acupuncture and Tai Chi provide a fun form of exercise and release from unhealthy food cravings, stress, and dependencies. Tai Chi improves metabolism by increasing strength, flexibility, and restoring internal balance. Tai Chi's gentle movements are also a great low impact exercise for aging bodies, people recovering from injuries, or those looking to change up their current exercise routine. Together these therapies are an extremely effective means of losing weight and feeling great in the New Year.

For more information on how acupuncture and tai chi can help with weight loss, please call Pacific College at (800) 729 - 0941 or visit www.PacificCollege.edu.