Time to lose the blubber

Obesity experts in Italy recommend you try to lose some weight if you want to reduce your risk of getting heart disease. Shedding those extra pounds can lower blood levels of proteins that lead to inflammation in the arteries.

Obesity, a burgeoning problem in many developed nations, is a major risk factor for heart disease. If you have excess fats accumulated around the abdominal area, you are at a higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease. These fats, often known as the spare tire around the waist, increases levels of immune system proteins called cytokines. Some cytokines cause inflammation, which leads to the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries known as atherosclerosis.

In a study conducted on a group of obese women, the Italian experts discovered that they had increased levels of two types of cytokines, called tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6. They also had more atherosclerosis-promoting proteins that were triggered by increased cytokine levels. These obese women were put on a one-year program of diet, exercise and behavior counseling. At the end of the program, they all managed to lose at least 10% of their starting weight (about 22 pounds, on average). On closer examination, they also revealed a significant reduction in their levels of cytokines and other potentially damaging proteins.

In conclusion, weight loss is a safe method for deregulating the inflammatory state and ameliorating (blood-vessel) dysfunction in obese women. Although the women in the study did not manage to get rid of all their excess weight, their cytokine levels returned to normal and safe levels.

Source: Circulation January 15, 2002; 105.