Will Losing Weight Help Acid Reflux?

Experiencing acid reflux multiple times a week is more than just unpleasant. That acid could be eating away at the lining of your esophagus, increasing risk of esophageal ulcers and even esophageal cancer. If you are taking antacids or prescription medication to protect your esophagus, there may be another solution that you have not yet considered.

Shedding Extra Pounds

A study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine" in June of 2006 found a link between high body mass index and the frequency of acid reflux. An individual's body mass index is calculated based on height and weight and, according to the study, the lower your body mass index, the less likely you are to experience persistent acid reflux.

On August 9, 2006, the Associated Press published an article that included quotes from an overweight 45-year-old woman named Suzanne Hagerty. She said that by losing 25 pounds, she was able to ditch her Prilosec medication and sleep through the night without bouts of acid reflux. For anyone balking at the thought of losing 25 pounds, Dr. Caroline Apovian, director of the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management, says that losing just 10 pounds will make a huge difference for acid reflux sufferers.

Why Does Extra Weight Promote Acid Reflux?

The extra pounds around your midsection put added pressure on the stomach. In turn, the stomach pushes acid into the esophagus, causing that uncomfortable burning sensation. Decreasing the pressure on your stomach can decrease the occurrence of acid traveling upward into the esophagus.

Conveniently, a diet that promotes weight loss will also help decrease the occurrence of acid reflux. In an article entitled "Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux," health care professional turned writer Patsy Hamilton reveals that people who are overweight or obese tend to have unbalanced blood sugar levels because they eat large meals a few times a day. Pair unbalanced blood sugar levels with the lethargy that many obese people experience and you are going to want to lie down after a meal. But sprawling across a bed or sofa is one of the things that puts added pressure on your stomach and forces the acid into your esophagus. She recommends eating more small meals throughout the day and skipping heavy foods that are fried to put an end to that awful domino effect.

David A. Peura, the associate chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, seconds the advice given by Hamilton. In an article published by the National Heart Burn Alliance, Peura suggests that people avoid foods that have a high fat content or high levels of acidity because these types of food promote weight gain and foster acid reflux. The article specifically mentions avoiding alcohol and chocolate.