Weight Loss & GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive condition that causes the stomach acid to move up into the esophagus. This can cause painful symptoms including chronic heartburn. Obesity is one of the risk factors for this digestive condition, so weight loss that brings the patient closer to a healthier weight may help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Obesity and GERD

Obesity does not guarantee that you will suffer from GERD, but it does increase the risk of developing the digestive condition. An excessive amount of weight can put pressure on the stomach and cause acid to back up into the esophagus. Losing weight decreases the pressure and may help alleviate the problem. Patients who already suffer from GERD should maintain a healthy weight to avoid the added pressure on the abdomen that could result in more acid reflux.

Well-Balanced Diet

A well-balanced diet is the best approach to losing weight in a healthy manner and achieving a weight loss. Plan to lose only one or two pounds per week on a well-balanced diet. Choose lean sources of protein such as chicken and fish and get carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. Small amounts of healthy fat such as olive oil and nuts are also part of a healthy diet. Eating healthy, well-balanced meals will not only help you lose weight, but can also help alleviate the symptoms of GERD as well.

Trigger Foods

Some of the foods that trigger GERD are also foods that cause weight gain. Greasy or deep-fried foods are triggers for many people suffering from GERD. Avoiding these foods not only reduces the pain of acid reflux, but also keeps you on your weight loss plan. Other trigger foods to avoid are chocolate, onions and garlic. Alcohol is also an acid reflux trigger and should be eliminated from your diet.

Lifestyle Changes

Eat smaller meals through the day instead of three large meals. This is also a good tip for those who are trying to lose weight. Avoiding a full stomach may reduce the symptoms of GERD. Eat your last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime and avoid lying down immediately after eating.

Exercise

One of the best ways to lose weight and one of the biggest problems for GERD sufferers is exercise. Unfortunately, exercise triggers acid reflux in most patients. However, there are some tips that can help GERD patients get the exercise they need for a healthy lifestyle. According to exercise physiologist Dr. Robert Robergs, using over-the-counter heartburn medications before a workout and avoiding exercises that involve excessive bending and bouncing may help reduce acid reflux symptoms.