Will Losing Weight Reduce Cholesterol? Know The Facts!

Cholesterol can be a real villain when it comes to lifestyle diseases. A large number of people suffer from cholesterol as a result of unhealthy food habits and several other factors including smoking and lack of exercise. 

Weight Loss And Cholesterol Levels – How It Reduces The Risk Of Diseases?

High cholesterol levels can cause fat deposits in your blood vessels making it hard for the blood to flow. Insufficient blood flow can lead to strokes or heart attacks.

Choices in your lifestyle habits have a  major role in controlling cholesterol levels up to a great extent. A  healthy diet and consistent physical workouts can minimize the chances of having cholesterol. 

Cholesterol And Body Weight

Being overweight or obese can increase your chances of having cholesterol.  Thus it is very important to maintain your body weight. Losing weight can for sure reduce the amount of cholesterol.

It can also reduce the risk of diabetes and heart-related issues. Our body needs a minimum amount of cholesterol for building up cells and for the production of vitamin D which is necessary for a healthy immune system. But too much bad cholesterol in your blood can adversely affect your health.

How Weight Loss Can Reduce Cholesterol? 

Losing weight can help you to lower your cholesterol levels and here’s why

• Losing weight means less fat content in the body. This in turn can reduce the cholesterol level.

• Losing weight can reverse insulin resistance. This can help your body to maintain and regulate hormones. 

• Weight loss can also regulate lipoprotein levels.

• With weight loss, the number of triglycerides and cholesterol that it produces will be decreased. 

Other Reasons For High Cholesterol

• Smoking habits:  Smoking is one of the most severe unhealthy habits that will lead to high cholesterol levels along with numerous other diseases.

• Hereditary or family history: having a positive family history of cholesterol can sometimes be a reason for high cholesterol levels.

• Inactive lifestyle: leading an inactive lifestyle without necessary exercise and a prolonged period of being stationary can result in high cholesterol levels.  

• High blood pressure:  high blood pressure levels can elevate the level of cholesterol in the blood. 

• Eating habits: consuming food items with high-fat content can increase the level of cholesterol.

• Alcohol consumption: uncontrolled alcohol consumption can increase the chances of having cholesterol. Calories contained in alcohol can aid to gain weight which in turn increases the chances of getting high cholesterol. 

How To Lose Weight? 

People with high cholesterol levels can try out different ways to lose weight. 

Some of them are listed below.

• Eating healthy:  including fruits and veggies in the diet and reducing foods with high-fat content such as red meat can help to maintain a moderate weight. Also, avoid processed foods and excess sugar.

• Limiting alcohol: try avoiding alcoholic drinks. Calories present in alcohol can increase weight. 

•  Exercising regularly: try working out a bit every day. Following a sedentary lifestyle can literally affect your body weight and will lead to numerous health issues. 

• Regular medical checkups: make sure to do regular checkups on your cholesterol levels. Take necessary care if any variations are noticed. 

Exercise To Reduce Cholesterol Levels

A sedentary lifestyle is a major reason for higher cholesterol levels in the blood. Exercising regularly will help an individual to maintain body weight and improve physical and mental health.  

How Exercise can help?

• Can maintain body weight 
• Improve muscle strength
• Higher energy levels
• Improvement in mental health

Types Of Exercises To Reduce Weight

Regular exercises can help in balancing bodily functions and doing them for short periods on a daily basis can reduce the risk of getting cholesterol and other diseases.

• Walking 
• Running
• Cycling 
• Practicing yoga 
• Sports activities
• Weight training 
• swimming

Final Words

High cholesterol levels can lead you to many heart diseases and may lead you to fatal conditions if not treated at the right time. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle lowers the chances of getting cholesterol. Doing regular medical checkups will help you to understand if there’s a need for taking medications. 

Leading an active and healthy lifestyle with enough exercises like walking swimming or cycling can reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol can be controlled and treatable. But making necessary changes and choosing healthy for your body is the primary step that is to be taken for cholesterol prevention.