Fat post-menopausal women are at risk

Postmenopausal women need to care about their overall weight, as a study finds that a reduction in overall body fat, rather than abdominal fat, lowers the risk of breast cancer. The study, published in Endocrine-Related Cancer journal, found that levels of several breast cancer risk markers were reduced in postmenopausal women who lost total body fat, rather than just belly fat. Increased levels of several blood markers include — testosterone and oestrogen, the "fullness hormone", leptin and inflammatory factors, are associated with breast cancer risk. Researchers analysed 243 overweight, postmenopausal women who lost five to six kg over 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, a reduction in total body fat showed favourable changes in the levels of breast cancer risk markers, including sex hormones and leptin, whilst a reduction in belly fat was more associated with a reduction in inflammatory markers. Researchers said that it is known that belly fat increases the risk of several chronic diseases, independently of total body fat, but for reducing sex hormone levels total body fat seems more important. 

Swallow a balloon, avoid  surgery 

Weight-loss balloons, which can be swallowed rather than surgically inserted in the stomach, have been found safe and effective at combating obesity. Intragastric balloons (IGBs) have been used as weight loss devices for decades. Inflated with water, these devices make it easier to adhere to a low calorie diet by inducing feelings of fullness. However, all IGBs have historically required endoscopy and anaesthesia resulting in a low adoption rate and high cost. The new study was presented at European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Portugal. These IGBs are optimised to reduce risk and discomfort in combination with a very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in the final month of therapy. The study involved 50 obese persons who had failed to lose weight by diet alone and refused other IGB treatment, and were offered the Elipse Balloon. The balloon was swallowed under fluoroscopy and then filled with 550 ml liquid. The balloon remains in the stomach for 16 weeks after which it spontaneously opens, empties, and is excreted. There were no serious adverse events recorded. All other adverse events including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain were either self-limiting or resolved with medication. Significant reductions were also observed in diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.  — Agencies