In a recent study at the Mayo Clinic, researchers found that gaining as little as 9 pounds of extra body weight may increase the risk of arterial damage.
This was true even for young and otherwise healthy individuals. Forty-three volunteers were followed. They were split into two groups. One group was asked to gain weight and the other to maintain weight for the eight weeks. After the weight gain group gained the weight they were asked to lose it.
Blood flow through the arteries was measured as a way to determine arterial damage or endothelial dysfunction. The endothelium is the delicate lining of skin that lines every artery.
When the weight gain group gained the weight the flow through the arteries was impaired due to endothelial dysfunction. When the lost the weight the normal blood flow through the arteries was restored.
Dr. Virend Somers MD who led the study had this to say, “Endothelial dysfunction has long been associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease, and cardiovascular events. Gaining a few pounds in college, on a cruise or over the holidays is considered harmless, but it can have cardiovascular implications, especially if the weight is gained around the abdomen.”
Contributed by Dr. John Douillard
Source
http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2010-rst/5919.html
