Swallowable balloons treat obesity

Shedding those extra kilos may become as easy as popping a pill. Researchers have developed a new gastric balloon that can be swallowed, rather than surgically inserted, effectively inducing weight loss.

"It may be a safe and effective way to induce substantial weight loss as well as curb obesity," say researchers. Once the pill is swallowed, the gastric balloon swells up in the stomach with the (50 ml) water used to pop the pill. Thus inducing a feeling of satiety, restricting the quantum of calories a person can consume.

It also reduces risk and discomfort caused by the common intragastric balloons (IGBs) - weight loss devices that require endoscopy and sedation. "Because the balloon does not require endoscopy, surgery or anesthesia, this may make it suitable for a larger population of obese patients not responding to diet treatment," said Roberta Lenca from Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

The results showed that the participants who took these gastric balloons shed more than 15 kg, on an average, which amounted to 31 per cent of excess weight. No serious side effects were reported. Significant reductions were also observed in co-morbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome, the researchers said.