Weight loss and cholesterol control may both be nutrition-related health goals, but this doesn't mean the same practices foster results in both categories. On the other hand, the practices that stimulate your body to lose weight, and those that lead to healthy cholesterol levels, are by no means mutually exclusive. When analyzing different weight loss diets, such as the popular South Beach Diet, it pays to understand how it will affect your cholesterol.
South Beach Basics
Cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston developed the South Beach Diet to support both healthy weight loss and healthy nutrition. It's a low-carbohydrate diet plan in which you can choose ingredients from an "approved" list, while eschewing those on an "avoid" list. How good South Beach is for your cholesterol level is all about how the approved and avoided foods affect your cholesterol levels.
LDL
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the "bad" cholesterol that can cause plaque build up in your arteries. Over time, these plaques can restrict blood flow and increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Consuming foods with saturated fat increases your LDL cholesterol. Although the lean meats on the South Beach approved list do contain saturated fats, they are lower in these fats than the meats on the avoid list. The South Beach Diet is also high in dietary fiber, which can help reduce LDL levels if made a regular part of your diet.
HDL
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol cleans contaminants out of your bloodstream. Because LDL cholesterol is among the contaminants it cleans, this means HDL is actively good for your circulatory health. Foods rich in unsaturated fats stimulate your body to produce HDL. Many of the foods on the South Beach approved list, especially the plant oils, fish and nuts, carry a healthy dose of unsaturated fats.
Triglycerides
Your body produces triglycerides in response to the presence of glucose in your diet. Triglycerides contribute to the factors that cause circulatory problems, and are a sign of increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Eating diets with less refined carbohydrates and sugars reduces your triglyceride level. The South Beach avoid list is full of high-carbohydrate, high-sugar ingredients.
Bottom Line
Since it was designed by a cardiologist, it may come as no surprise that the South Beach Diet is an overall heart-healthy weight loss choice. The avoid list keeps you away from foods likely to elevate your LDL and triglyceride levels. Simultaneously, the approved list delivers the unsaturated fats and dietary fiber your body uses to clean out the bad cholesterol you've already produced. Although not all weight-loss choices are this heart-friendly, South Beach serves both weight loss and cholesterol reduction goals.
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