GERD May Be Dramatically Improved by Losing Weight

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a severe form of acid reflux, in which stomach acid and contents can enter the lower esophagus (gullet), causing heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, and chest pain; severe heartburn more than twice a week is characteristic.  GERD patients are often overweight or obese, and a study reported at the Digestive Disease Week in New Orleans describes the benefits of weight loss in GERD patients.

Patients enrolled in a weight-loss program were assessed for the presence of GERD, using a standard questionnaire.  They then ate prepackaged meals, together with fruits and vegetables.  They were asked to walk 15 to 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for an expenditure of at least 2,000 calories a week.

At baseline, the participants’ average weight was 223 pounds, with a body mass index (BMI) of 35;  36% of them had symptoms qualifying for a diagnosis of GERD.  After 6 months, 98% of them had lost weight, with an average loss of 28½ pounds.

Most importantly, only 17% of them still reported symptoms of GERD.  A significant improvement in symptoms was seen in women after they lost more than 5% in weight;  in men, it took 10% reduction to get significant results.  (This may have been because there were more women in the study than men, i.e. it was ‘easier’ to reach a significant level of improvement.)

This study is encouraging.  The result is a logical extension of the apparent relationship between overweight and GERD.  Weight loss is possibly an early approach in a series of steps necessary to cure GERD.  Further studies will show us if this is really so.