Relationship of Cholesterol and Weight: Does High Cholesterol Cause Weight Gain?
High cholesterol affects anyone despite their weight class. Cholesterol is a waxy component that the body uses to function correctly.
The liver produces cholesterol which is then used by the body in synthesizing cell membranes, making some hormones and essential substances that aid digestion.
Too much cholesterol in your body is harmful. Excess body fat is a loophole that cholesterol levels thrive. Moreover, both high cholesterol levels and obesity are a threat to your cardiovascular health.
This blog post will outline the relationship between cholesterol and discuss does high cholesterol cause weight gain. Additionally, we will discuss the exact effect of weight loss on cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol and Weight Gain
The cholesterol produced by our bodies is more than what we consume.
This means that in connection to a stronger immune system, we are partly responsible for the cholesterol levels in our bodies. Higher levels are indirectly associated with weight gain and an array of many diseases in old age.
Learn the Facts About Cholesterol
The liver produces up to 80% of the cholesterol required in our bodies. Cholesterol is produced as a fatty, oily molecule that our cells utilize for various functions, including forming cell membranes and generating vital hormones and vitamins. The remaining percentage comes from the foods we eat.
The are two types of cholesterol found in our body:
1. Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL):
This is normally referred to as the ‘bad’cholesterol, making up most of your body’s cholesterol. High LDL levels raise your chances of developing heart-related diseases and stroke.
Coincidentally, LDL is associated with plaque buildup in arteries, which can block proper blood flow to the heart and other organs.
When diagnosed with LDL, your immune system is at risk, and immune boosters vitamins are probably what you will need. Losing weight is a solution, too, when your cholesterol levels are high.
2. High-density Lipoprotein (HDL):
HDL is often known as the good cholesterol, and its primary function is absorbing the fatty component and moving it back to the liver. High levels of HDL influence an excellent immune system, thus being associated with strong cardiovascular health.
Another type of fat you should be familiar with in understanding cholesterol is triglycerides. These are lipids related to blood fat. It is fat consumed from what we eat and is found primarily in vegetable oil and animal fats.
Because triglycerides contribute to building plaque in your arteries, excessive levels in your blood can elevate the risk of heart disease.
Understanding the LDL and HDL levels in your body is the first step to treating a diagnosis of cholesterol imbalance. To achieve this, visit a health facility to have your blood tested.
Does Cholesterol Make You Fat?
Let’s take a closer look and answer the question, does high cholesterol cause weight gain? Many people believe that high cholesterol leads to weight gain, but this is not necessarily the case. However, there are a few ways cholesterol can indirectly lead to weight gain.
First, cholesterol is a type of fat found in the blood, and fat cells tend to store more calories than other types of cells. This means that people with high cholesterol levels may be more likely to overeat and gain weight.
Additionally, high cholesterol can cause hardening of the arteries, leading to decreased blood flow and increased appetite.
As a result, people with high cholesterol may be more likely to experience weight gain. However, it is essential to note that high cholesterol does not directly cause obesity. Rather, it is one of several factors that can contribute to excessive weight gain.
In other words, you can be overweight and have healthy cholesterol levels, or you can be of normal weight and have high cholesterol. That said, being overweight does increase your risk of developing high cholesterol.
Being overweight puts extra strain on your heart and raises your triglyceride levels—a type of fat in your blood that can also contribute to artery-clogging plaque. So while being overweight doesn’t necessarily cause high cholesterol, it is a risk factor for developing this condition.
There’s also a link between high cholesterol levels that can lead to more severe problems. Carrying extra pounds increases your chances of developing an abnormally high level of “bad” LDL cholesterols, which puts you at risk of heart disease or other major disorders like diabetes if left untreated.
What Are the Warning Signs of High Cholesterol?
High LDL or triglycerides levels in your body are displayed using the following symptoms:
- Fatty bumps on the skin
- The corneas of the eyes have grey-white rings surrounding them
- Excess body weight, including a consistent bloated stomach
- Metabolic syndrome: Being diagnosed with stroke, heart and diabetic symptoms
You should visit your physician once you suspect your cholesterol levels are high to prevent more severe effects such as heart failure.
Why is Cholesterol Bad for You?
Excessive production of bad cholesterol increases the chances of your immunity is compromised, which might lead to the development of further complications.
The problem is worse at an elderly age. To regulate your body cholesterol, you can start by changing some of your regular habits, such as;
- Quitting smoking
- Decreasing the amount of beer you take
- Being more active physically
- Regular visits to your doctor
- Following a more healthy dietary plan
However, it is essential to notice that some of us inherit Hypercholesterolemia, a condition caused by high blood cholesterol levels. You might follow a good diet and lead a healthy lifestyle but still be diagnosed with high LDL levels.
The Importance of Losing Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health and well-being. If you are obese or overweight, triglycerides, in this case, are high.
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Losing weight can help to improve these conditions and reduce the chances of developing them in the first place. Additionally, carrying extra weight can lead to joint pain, sleep apnea, and other health issues. Simply put, losing weight can profoundly impact your health and quality of life.
So how do you go about achieving sustainable weight loss? For most people, a combination of diet and exercise is key. Making healthy food choices and getting regular exercise will help boost metabolism and burn calories.
Medications or surgery may sometimes be necessary to help with weight loss. Ultimately, working with a healthcare professional to create a plan that is a safe and effective way to ensure success.
Taking a step towards losing weight through exercise or a diet is an approved method of improving your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides levels.
Losing weight is not always easy, but it is worth it. It will improve your health and ultimately pay off in the long run.
Effect of Weight Loss on Cholesterol Levels
Losing weight can help your cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of fat in your body and making you less prone to inflammation. Obesity leads to an increase in LDL levels and lowers HDL levels; thus, the choice of working on your weight is a life changer.
Maintaining a healthy weight lowers your risk of insulin resistance. A condition in which the body ineffectively responds to the insulin hormone.
This response raises triglycerides by increasing the liver’s free fatty acids. Therefore, targeting your body weight will see a significant decrease in the effects of insulin resistance.
Therefore, the effect of weight loss on cholesterol levels is undeniably helpful. It would be best if you were encouraged to lose weight in your aim to chase a healthy lifestyle and not only increase your HDL levels.
Does Losing Weight Lower Cholesterol?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the effect of weight loss on cholesterol levels will vary depending on the individual. However, it is generally accepted that losing weight can help to lower cholesterol levels.
Losing weight can help to reduce these risk factors by lowering LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, weight loss can also help to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which can further reduce the risk of heart disease.
In one study, persons who lost at least 5% of their body weight had lower levels of LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Men who lost between 5% and 10% of their body weight responded better than women in the trial who lost the same amount.
The reason is the differences in metabolism in both genders. On the other hand, people who lost less than 5% of their body weight merely had lower triglyceride levels.
Therefore, if you are struggling with your weight, it may be worth speaking to your doctor or a registered dietitian to see if losing weight could help to improve your cholesterol levels.
Before approaching any plan to lose weight while targeting your cholesterol level, ensure that you choose one that fits your gender, body type, and metabolism state.
How Can I Lose Weight with High Cholesterol?
It is possible to lose weight with high cholesterol by making simple lifestyle changes. Here are steps to follow in your journey of losing weight even with high cholesterol:
#1 – Get a Blood Test:
All blood tests should be conducted by a trusted doctor and in an approved facility. The results from the test will show the exact levels of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. After that, your doctor will advise you on the most suitable solutions.
#2 – Know Your Genes:
We all have our specific genes. Your body metabolism is usually dictated by your genetic makeup even before it is affected by your weight.
Having adequate knowledge of your genes helps you understand how your body responds to different diets and exercises. A doctor can help you understand your genes through a blood test.
#3 – Understand Your Diet and Exercise Plan:
Diet plan:
Not every so-called good nutrition is suitable for you. We are in an era where we must carefully select what we eat and involve a nutrition specialist to avoid consuming toxins which might cause more harm than good.
Exercise plan:
There is a tonne of fitness plans across the internet. However, choose an exercise that fits your body type. Your exact height and weight should provide a basis for choosing your plan. For better results, subscribe to a gym membership and get help from a professional.
#4 – Execution of the Plan:
Postponing working out will only increase the risks associated with high cholesterol. Ensure that you start immediately after drafting your plans.
#5 – Cutting off Harmful Practices:
Addiction to substances such as smoking and alcohol intake will further delay your progress. Your gym progress is largely affected while your new diet struggles to pick up the pieces.
However, with the knowledge of how addiction works, partly start by reducing the intake of these substances before entirely quitting if possible.
#6 – Follow-up:
A significant change must be noticed or felt after the execution of the plans. Visit your doctor and be tested once again to check your respective levels.
#7 – Switching up Your Plans:
Increase the difficulty level of your exercises via your trainer’s advice while you seek more information on your diet from your nutritionist. The internet is also an excellent source of information. However, ensure you only rely on credible sites.
If the steps aren’t effective, use a cholesterol-lowering prescription as directed while continuing your lifestyle changes. Making lifestyle modifications help in reducing the number of medications to be taken.
Conclusion
There seems to be a correlation between high cholesterol levels and weight gain. More research is needed to determine if high cholesterol leads to weight gain or if people who are obese tend to have higher levels of cholesterol in their blood.
In the meantime, focus on maintaining a healthy weight by eating right and exercising regularly – both of which can help lower your cholesterol levels.
You can also get yourself a bottle of Optima Healthy Gut Solution to target better your cholesterol levels in addition to waste elimination and weight loss. It’s an effective vitamin that aids digestion breaks down essential nutrients, and transports them into your body.
