Help Cholesterol by Losing Weight

Cholesterol plays several vital roles in the body, from the manufacture of hormones to cell division. Though it has a bad reputation, no one could live without cholesterol. The trick to managing your cholesterol is to find a balance. Too much bad cholesterol can block blood flow in the arteries. This may result in heart attack or stroke, and it may lead to chronic conditions, such as heart disease and chest pain. Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes that can reduce high cholesterol levels and lead to better overall health in the process. If you are looking for ways to lower your cholesterol, your bariatric surgeon in Michigan may be able to help.

Is Weight Loss a Solution?

Probably the best way to reduce high cholesterol is to drop extra pounds. For some this will only require adhering to a diet and increasing the amount of exercise, but for others that have struggled with their weight long term other methods such as bariatric surgery may be useful.

Weight loss has been proven effective for managing cholesterol levels by research showing that excess weight can increase the bad form of cholesterol, also known as LDL, while decreasing HDL cholesterol.

Dietary strategies involve eating foods high in fiber, such as unprocessed vegetables and whole grains, while reducing the amount of saturated and trans fats. Since other factors can affect cholesterol levels, it is worthwhile to have a doctor run blood tests to monitor progress.

Extremely overweight individuals may find it next to impossible to get the right diet and enough exercise to lose weight. Bariatric procedures, such as the lap band surgery, have helped people drop stubborn pounds successfully. Though it does require a restrictive diet and commitment to exercise, modifying the digestive system makes overcoming bad cholesterol easier to accomplish.