"The EndoBarrier™ is a gastrointestinal liner that acts as an impermeable barrier to prevent food from coming in contact with the wall of the intestine. This may have an effect on the patient's uptake of both nutrients and calories. It may also have a metabolic effect that is similar to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which produces significant weight loss and resolution of type 2 diabetes."Product statement courtesy of GI Technologies
One of the truly inspired new technologies to come along for weight loss is a product called an EndoBarrier. Inserted endoscopically, this plastic tube provides a barrier to nutrient absorbtion by shunting the food through the small intestine along the inside of a flexible plastic tube. The food does not get absorbed through the wall of the small intestine because of this plastic barrier. Fewer nutrients absorbed translates into fewer calories absorbed and this promotes weight loss. A recent article in New Scientist describes how, in experimental rats, this device enabled significant weight loss and even reversed type 2 diabetes. We may be entering into a time when a simple, safe and reversible procedure can save the lives of hundreds of thousands of our patients who struggle with obesity.
Posts
