Jessica Simpson is trying out a vegan diet.  Recently she had a weekend of natural eating and sipping tea and feels great.  "Shocked my system with a vegan diet, special Pu-erh tea from China, and cupping since Friday!" Simpson wrote, referring to the practice of placing cups on your body.

Fire cupping or simply cupping is a form of traditional medicine found in many cultures worldwide. It involves placing cups containing reduced air pressure (suction) on the skin.

According to the American Cancer Society, "available scientific evidence does not support cupping as a cure for cancer or any other disease."  It can leave temporary unsightly marks on the skin and there is also a small risk of burns.  People who claim this therapy to be beneficial report that it produces feeling of relaxation and invigoration.

It is possible that whatever relief is obtained from this procedure derives from the same principles that are employed in shiatsu massage, where instead of the outward sucking of the cups, strong inward pressure is directed at the muscles of the dorsal ribcage and abdomen.Many diseases and disorders can benefit from cupping.  The earliest writings found on the therapy from ancient China recommend its use in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Cupping is believed to eliminate toxins from your body and Jessica Simpson said she felt incredibly "clean," "clear" and great afterwards.  Simpson claims this has nothing to do with her weight but others believe otherwise.  She has had a lot of criticism about her weight lately, so people think she is doing this in response.

Simpson is famous for all of her weight-loss endeavors so it's possible this latest kick might have been driven by the desire to shed some of the extra pounds that have dogged her since she got her body into rocking shape to play Daisy Duke in 2005's "The Dukes of Hazard."  Since then she's been rumored to have tried the Atkins and 5 factor diets and has supposedly repeatedly sought council of diet coach/trainer Mike Alexander to help get her back in to fighting form.

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