A new study undertaken in South Korea into the effects of long term weight loss have turned up evidence to suggest that it could have a negative effect on health, resulting in a higher risk of problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and diabetes.

long term weight loss bad for healthThe study was undertaken at the National University in South Korea where Duk Hee-Lee of Kyungpook and several colleagues analyzed extensive data collected from 1,099 American adults by federal health officials. The trial focused on the relationship between long term weight loss and blood levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

These POPs become stored in the body in fat tissue. It is known that when the levels of body fat is reduced such as during the process of losing weight, these substances could become released into the bloodstream. When this happens, they may enter such of the vital organs as the heart and brain. POPs levels found in the bloodstream were higher in those people who had lost weight when compared with those who maintained a constant weight or gained weight. The researchers considered several other factors in this process, but noticed a trend with long term reduction in weight as the most common one being responsible for the concentration levels.

Further studies to confirm these early results will need to be performed.

It was noted by the researchers that while early indications are that weight loss could be the main reason for the release of POPs, results are not conclusive, meaning there could still be other related factors. This is why additional research needs to be carried out in order to confirm whether weight loss is indeed the major culprit.

Also, the levels of POPs in the bloodstream that are required to create harmful effects in humans is not yet known. Therefore people who are overweight should carry on trying to lose weight, as the health problems associated with obesity far outweigh any issues that elevated levels of POPs may create.

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