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Written by ACRO physicians:
Herbal diet medicine study

We analysed 118 patient records and published the results in the Journal of Korean Medicine. Here is what changed over 10 weeks, and why, on one page

Our paper

The records our patients left behind
became a published paper

The study analysed the records of 118 people who completed the 10-week course, out of 286 who started diet herbal medicine treatment at ACRO between February and May 2021. It was published in the Journal of Korean Medicine in March 2022

The treatment combined herbal medicine with food records, self-weighing and self-rating of appetite and satiety. The paper analysed weight change over the 10 weeks and the factors associated with how much weight was lost

Study design: Retrospective observational studyAnalysis of clinical records
Subjects: 118 who completed the 10-week course286 started · 106 women · 12 men
Research team: Dr. Lim Joo-hyuk · Dr. Park Ji-seonCurrently practising · among the 5 authors

First page of ACRO's diet herbal medicine study published in the Journal of Korean Medicine, 2022;43(1) — Jang IY, Yim JH, Park JS, Kim JS, Kim TH · Journal of Korean Medicine 2022;43(1):87–98

Results

After 10 weeks, the change in numbers

The 118 people who completed the 10-week course changed from an average of 74.59 kg to 66.95 kg, a loss of 7.64 kg (−10.2%), and 112 of the 118 (94.9%) were reported to have lost at least 5% of their starting weight

−10.2%Average weight changeOver 10 weeks
−7.64kgMean weight loss74.59 kg → 66.95 kg
94.9%Lost 5% or more112 of 118 patients
−2.87Mean BMI change28.02 → 25.15

These are averages for the study participants; the degree and duration of weight loss vary by individual

What mattered

Who lost the most,
and what the records told us

People who rated their own diet control higher, and those who rated their appetite control higher, lost more weight. Self-weighing rose from 2.45 times a week before treatment to 4.70 times a week during treatment. Ephedra dose, sleep time, gender and age were reported to have no clear relationship with the amount of weight lost

Self-rated diet controlr = 0.412The clearest link
Self-rated appetite controlr = 0.207Also related
Self-weighing2.45 → 4.70 times per weekBefore → during treatment

That is why ACRO recommends keeping food records and weighing yourself alongside herbal medicine use, and reviews those records with you at each monthly visit

Adverse events

What about discomfort while taking it

The most frequently reported adverse symptoms were constipation, insomnia and dizziness,
All but one case were reported as mild.
If discomfort occurs while taking the medicine, the dosing instructions or prescription may be adjusted

View safety & medication care

This is a retrospective observational study based on clinical records, with no comparison group. It does not compare outcomes with those of diet control alone, without herbal medicine
The results are for the 118 who completed the 10-week course, not for all 286 who started
These are averages. The degree and pace of weight loss, and any discomfort, vary from person to person

The paper

Read the paper

Journal of Korean Medicine · 2022;43(1):87–98 · doi 10.13048/jkm.22008Korean Medicine with Self-monitoring for Weight Control and Factors Associated with Weight Loss: a Retrospective Observational StudyKorean Medicine with Self-monitoring for Weight Control and Factors Associated with Weight Loss: a Retrospective Observational StudyJang IY, Yim JH, Park JS, Kim JS, Kim TH · Journal of Korean Medicine 2022;43(1):87–98

Read the journal article ↗Read the doctors' commentary Meet the research medical team Learn more about diet herbal medicine

Consultation

How can these findings apply to you?
We discuss this together during consultations

We check your current health and medications
and then guide your prescription

Written by ACRO physicians:Herbal diet medicine study

The records our patients left behindbecame a published paper