Traditional Chinese Medicine reduces body weight by 5.86 kg and improves lipid profiles in obesity

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medRxiv Published June 9, 2026 Medically reviewed June 9, 2026 Study authors: Zhang, Y.; Wang, Y. DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Note that TCM is associated with weight loss and improved lipid profiles in patients with obesity.

This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for managing obesity across 3053 patients. The analysis compared TCM against placebo or conventional treatments, focusing on body weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and various lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C.

The pooled results showed a significant reduction in body weight of 5.86 kg (95% CI: -7.51 to -4.21) and a reduction in BMI of 2.82 kg/m^2 (95% CI: -3.38 to -2.25). Additionally, the study reported significant improvements in lipid profiles: total cholesterol decreased by 0.82 mmol/L (p < 0.001), triglycerides decreased by 0.65 mmol/L (p < 0.001), and LDL-C decreased by 0.39 mmol/L (p < 0.001). HDL-C showed a significant increase of 0.29 mmol/L (p < 0.001).

Adverse events were reported as infrequent, with no significant difference between TCM and control groups. However, the authors noted limitations including the need for more high-quality RCTs to confirm these findings and a lack of data regarding long-term outcomes. While TCM may serve as a complementary treatment for obesity, results should be interpreted with caution due to the current evidence base.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

Sample sizen = 3,053

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Background: Obesity is a global health crisis, contributing to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used in East Asia to manage obesity, but evidence on its efficacy and safety remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess clinical evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TCM for obesity treatment. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to April 2026. Eligible RCTs compared TCM interventions with placebo or conventional treatments in obese patients. Two reviewers independently conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model to calculate pooled weighted mean differences (WMD) and odds ratios (OR) for body weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), lipid profiles, and adverse events. Results: A total of 33 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3,053 participants were included in the analysis. TCM significantly reduced body weight (WMD = -5.86 kg, 95% CI: -7.51 to -4.21), BMI (WMD = -2.82 kg/m{superscript 2}, 95% CI: -3.38 to -2.25), and WHR (WMD = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.06 to -0.02). Lipid profiles improved, with reductions in total cholesterol (WMD = -0.82 mmol/L), triglycerides (WMD = -0.65 mmol/L), LDL-C (WMD = -0.39 mmol/L), and increased HDL-C (WMD = 0.29 mmol/L) (all p < 0.001). Adverse events were infrequent, with no significant difference observed between TCM and control groups (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.08). Funnel plots indicated no publication bias. Conclusion: TCM appears effective in reducing body weight and improving lipid profiles in obese patients, with a low incidence of adverse events. It may serve as a complementary treatment for obesity, though further high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes.