Study finds that a little add weight can spell big problems down the road
Obesity is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. But new research shows that even a small amount of weight gain (as small as 9 pounds!) can cause changes in your body that increase your heart disease risk.
How A Little Weight Can Cause BIG Problems
The first step in the process of developing cardiovascular disease is endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is simply an abnormality in the lining of the blood vessels. When the lining is damaged, blood doesn’t flow as well through the vessel, and when blood doesn’t flow well, heart attacks and strokes are more likely to happen.
In a recent study of healthy people with the average age of 29, small weight gains were shown to cause endothelial dysfunction. The dysfunction was measured by blood flow through vessels in the arm. Those people in the study who gained weight over an eight week period with an average gain of 9 pounds had decreased blood flow through their arm vessels, meaning they had developed endothelial dysfunction and had a increased risk of heart disease.
Abdominal Fat Very Important
Interestingly, the area of weight gain seemed to influence the development of endothelial dysfunction. People who gained fat in the abdomen were more likely to develop endothelial dysfunction. Also of importance is endothelial dysfunction went away in those people who lost the weight they gained during the course of the study. Once they were back to their normal body weights, they had normal blood flow through their arm vessels again. If the weight wasn’t lost, the endothelial dysfunction continued the same.
Lose the Weight and Eliminate the Risk
What this means for you…
To keep your vessels healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease, you should take steps to avoid small weight gains. If you do put on some extra pounds, especially in the belly, definitely consider making changes in order to lose the new weight.
Did you know that the Optimal Body Balance program now as Online and Group options as well as One-on-One Coaching to help you reach your weight loss goals?! Check it out and finally achieve the body you are looking for!
Source: CP Medical “Weight Loss and Endothelial Dysfunction: Only 9 Pounds of Weight Gain in Lean Adults Increases Heart Disease Risk” May 2009