Obesity & High Cholesterol

Over 78 million people in the United States are obese, meaning they are at least 20% over the weight that is medically ideal for them. This concern goes beyond being merely cosmetic period after cosmetic. It leads to severe harm to overall health. Those who are obese have an elevated risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, and more. High cholesterol is a particularly dangerous condition, in part due to the lack of visible signs indicating its presence. Only testing by your physician reveals you are suffering from it and the level of risk it presents.

Does Everyone Who Is Obese Have High Cholesterol?

Not everyone who is obese has high cholesterol, though it does increase your risk of suffering from this condition. High cholesterol isn’t the only health concern that comes with obesity. Those who are obese tend to also have low levels of “good” cholesterol, known as HDL, while their “bad” cholesterol, also known as LDL, and triglycerides tend to be too high. This imbalance of cholesterol means increased risks of stroke or heart attack.

How Does Obesity Affect My Cholesterol Levels?

There’s a misconception that someone’s food choices are the only factor affecting their cholesterol levels, but the reality is more complicated than that. While foods that are high in cholesterol and fats can have a direct effect on your levels, those who are obese have a greater level of difficulty improving them. The higher your level of obesity, the more LDL that’s produced by your liver, and the slower it clears away from your blood. In addition, the following elements are thought to come into play:

  • Fat consumption and LDL production levels don’t change as much based on the amount consumed.
  • Obesity tends to cause inflammation, which has a negative effect on your body’s response to dietary fat consumption levels.
  • Obesity is commonly found alongside insulin resistance, altering how your body handles cholesterol.
An obese child eating chips

Reducing your cholesterol levels becomes easier as you lose weight, as lowering weight improves your body’s ability at reducing bad cholesterol. In addition, it becomes better able to respond to insulin, and inflammation levels will decrease over time. As your weight continues to decrease, the way your body responds to dietary fats will normalize. Taking control of your weight loss and health can help alleviate many concerns and help you experience a longer, healthier life.

If you’re ready to start managing your cholesterol levels with the help of Physicians Premiere Weight & Wellness Center, call 703-783-5673 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Patel helps her patients take control of their cholesterol and weight by fighting back against obesity. Don’t wait another day to start taking control of your obesity and cholesterol, call or drop by 21035 Sycolin Road, Suite 180 Ashburn, VA 20147, to begin.