We all know that there are lots of advantages to losing weight; feel better, improve health, maybe even live longer. But a new study shows that losing weight has another possible benefit. A new study shows that overweight and obese people who lost just a few pounds experienced relief from chronic heartburn.
The study was conducted by a gastroenterology fellow at the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine. Focusing on the patients who suffered from a specific, specific type of heartburn called gastro esophageal reflux (GERD, the study looked at the potential easing of the condition in individuals who lost weight.

Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the middle of the chest which affects around 60% of people at some point within a year. Heartburn is caused when the acidic stomach juices flow the wrong way, travelling backwards into the esophagus. This is caused by the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle which is too relaxed, or doesn’t work properly so can’t keep stomach acid in the stomach. When heartburn is untreated it can lead to a chronic, persistent form of heartburn, GERD.About Heartburn

GERD is the most common type of chronic heartburn which, if untreated, can cause further health complications, including the narrowing of the esophagus, esophageal ulcers and, in rare cases, esophageal cancer.

The Study

The research team recruited over 200 men and women, with an average age of 46 and average weight of 220 pounds. The team measured GERD levels at the beginning of the study, at the half way point 6 months, and at the end of the study, 12 months after the start date.
Participants were encouraged to lose weight primarily through exercise, with the suggestion of 5 hours jogging or walking every week. On average, participants spend nearly four hours a week exercising.
When the study started, 38% of the participants were classified as having GERD. By the halfway point the average weight of the group was 183 pounds and only 16% had GERD.
Unfortunately, by the end of the 12 month period, most of the participants had gained weight and the percentage of participants diagnosed with GERD rose to 22%. The 41 patients who managed to maintain their weight loss continued to experience improvement.
The study showed that just a small amount of weight gain, as experienced in the last 6 months, could significantly increase GERD symptoms, whilst weight loss resulted in a considerable improvement.

Sustained Weight Loss

This study shows more than how effective weight loss is in easing chronic heart burn. It shows how easy it is for people who are overweight to obese to lose weight and put it back on again, undoing all of the good work that they have done.
At weight loss surgery Mexico we offer a range of weight loss surgery procedures to suit the needs of our patients. Weight loss surgery such as lap band surgery or gastric bypass surgery isn’t a magic solution to obesity. However, it is an effective way for individuals with a high BMI to lose weight quickly and permanently.
If you would like to find out more about the many benefits of weight loss surgery, or to find out which weight loss surgery package might be best for you, contact us.