High cholesterol is a problem that plagues many Americans in 2011. Unfortunately, obesity is also a chronic problem among Americans. Both of these health issues can drastically raise your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Unfortunately, in many cases, obesity--or at least weight gain--and high cholesterol go hand in hand.
About Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a substance found in lipids, or fats, of your blood. Over time, this waxy substance can build up in your blood vessels, causing complications from high cholesterol. The American Heart Association reports that there are two types of cholesterol--one good and one bad. Your body needs a certain level of cholesterol, which it produces or gets from food. The two types of cholesterol are HDL -- the "healthy" cholesterol--and LDL--the "unhealthy" cholesterol.
High Cholesterol and Weight
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, high cholesterol does not have any symptoms, so being overweight is not a symptom of--or caused by--high cholesterol. Instead, obesity--especially obesity caused by inactivity and poor diet--can be a cause of high cholesterol. Unlike genetics, which can also be a cause of high cholesterol, your weight is something you can control, minimizing your risk of high cholesterol and the complications that accompany this serious health issue.
High Cholesterol and Other Factors
In addition to affecting your weight, your diet and level of physical activity can directly affect your cholesterol levels. If you eat foods with high levels of saturated fats and dietary cholesterol, this can raise your level of blood cholesterol. In addition, regular exercise helps to lower your blood cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of heart disease. While factors like your age, gender and genetic predisposition can also impact your level of cholesterol, losing weight, eating right and exercising regularly are steps you can take to lower your cholesterol.
Healthy Levels of Cholesterol and Weight
Your cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. A healthy level of the bad cholesterol, LDL, is below 130mg/dL. Your total cholesterol level, including HDL, should be under 200mg/dL. These are considered healthy ranges for a normal adult. Your weight is measured according to BMI--body mass index--which factors in height and weight. A healthy weight is between 18.5 and 24.9 for any normal adult. So, while high cholesterol does not actually affect weight, your weight affects your cholesterol. Lose weight and you will also lower your negative levels of cholesterol.
References
- MayoClinic.com; High cholesterol; June 2010
- American Heart Association; About Cholesterol; May 2011
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Cholesterol?
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know; June 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Obesity; May 2011
