| Regular exercise is a must for everyone, | | | | pounds, a slight change from their regular weight |
| regardless if they suffer from chronic acid reflux | | | | could tip the scale. |
| or not. Exercise is what helps to keep our bodies | | | | Therefore, if you are prone to acid reflux or have |
| strong and healthy. Exercise is what also helps us | | | | GERD, be mindful of your weight. If you are |
| lose those extra pounds; extra pounds that many | | | | maintaining a normal weight (BMI 18.5-24..9) there |
| researchers believe may be encouraging acid | | | | is no reason for you to consider losing weight, |
| reflux. | | | | unless you have gained a few pounds and notice |
| Research has found that for those who are | | | | a change in your heartburn symptoms, even if |
| overweight and obese, losing weight can actually | | | | you are still in the normal weight range. Other |
| help reduce the risk of heartburn and | | | | than that, keep in mind that a BMI of 25 and over |
| gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | | | | is considered overweight, and a BMI 30 or higher |
| symptoms. Why? Many studies have been | | | | is a sign of obesity. To help monitor your weight, |
| conducted on the link between BMI (Body Mass | | | | you can find free BMI calculators online. |
| Index -a method of measuring body fat) and | | | | If you need to lose weight, your goal is to do so |
| GERD. Virtually all studies concluded that as the | | | | effectively and sensibly. This means avoiding crash |
| participants' BMI increased, so did their GERD | | | | diets, and adopting a new lifestyle focused on |
| symptoms. | | | | healthy eating habits that involve smaller portions, |
| How does obesity increase the risk of developing | | | | and include exercise. Your goals is to gradually lose |
| GERD? | | | | weight and keep the excess pounds off by |
| Researchers are not entirely sure of the exact | | | | making a lifestyle change you can realistically live |
| cause, but there are many theories being closely | | | | with, which doesn't compromise the health and |
| considered. For instance, some believe that | | | | wellbeing of your body. |
| excess body fat that occurs around the stomach, | | | | There are many exercise and diet programs and |
| increases the pressure against the stomach, and | | | | books that can help you lose weight. However, |
| causes fluid to rise up into the esophagus. Thus, | | | | before you jump headfirst into a weight loss |
| the more weight a person accumulates, the more | | | | program, you should first visit your doctor and |
| fat and pressure is placed on the stomach. | | | | discuss your weight loss plans with them before |
| Another theory is that many of those who are | | | | you take action. Your doctor can provide you |
| overweight and obese tend to lead a more | | | | recommendations and lead you down the path to |
| sedentary lifestyle, indulge in a diet rich in fatty | | | | healthy weight loss. |
| foods and overeating. This type of lifestyle | | | | Another good idea is to visit a licensed dietitian. |
| dramatically increases the chance of chronic acid | | | | This is a health care professional who specializes in |
| reflux, heartburn and GERD. | | | | advising people about meal planning and controlling |
| One recent study that was conducted on women | | | | their weight. They can help you make nutritional |
| with normal BMI in Boston, Massachusetts, found | | | | and healthy eating choices. |
| that as these women increased their weight | | | | In addition, talk to others who are watching their |
| (gaining 20 pounds or more) during the study, | | | | weight. Find out what they are doing to help keep |
| they increased their risk of developing acid reflux | | | | off the extra pounds. Exercising with others and |
| symptoms by three times. Thus, this study | | | | introducing your family or friends to healthy meal |
| actually discovered that a person doesn't need to | | | | choices, is an effective way to lose weight |
| be obese in order to increase their risk of | | | | successfully, because it's always easier to change |
| heartburn and GERD symptoms. Simply gaining 10 | | | | when you're not going it alone. |