Does Obesity Lead to High Blood Cholesterol?

Unfortunately, high blood cholesterol is one of the myriad of health problems that can arise for those who are obese.

Being overweight or being obese increases your chances of suffering from this condition.

The first thing to understand about high blood cholesterol is what cholesterol is.

• One that is good for you and
• One that is bad for you.

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance that is found in the bloodstream. Everybody has it, the key is to control it.

You need to have some cholesterol to produce cell membranes and some hormones; but, you don’t want to have too much or it will:

• Clog arteries
• Cause heart disease
• Cause a heart attack or
• Lead to a stroke.

When you hear about high blood cholesterol, you often hear about LDL and HDL.

LDL is low-density lipoprotein, and it is considered the bad cholesterol. This is the cholesterol that will clog your arteries.

HDL is high-density lipoprotein. It is the good cholesterol because it carries cholesterol away from your arteries, helping them not clog.

To avoid this condition it is important to have your cholesterol checked on a regular basis. The only way to do this is through a blood test.

Your total blood cholesterol, or the combined number of your LDL and HDL, should ideally be under 200.

If yours is:

• 200-239 you are borderline high risk
• Above 240 is considered high risk, or high blood cholesterol.

LDL levels should ideally be under 100, with above 160 considered high.

HDL levels are usually between 40 and 50, and in women they are often between 50 and 60.

The keys to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and reducing or avoiding high blood cholesterol, include:

• Eating healthy foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol
• Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week and
• Lose weight if you need to.

This is where the obesity connection comes into play.

If you are obese you are more likely to have high blood cholesterol, a dangerous condition.

In addition to monitoring your cholesterol levels, you should also work to overcome obesity. This will in turn improve your cholesterol levels.

By selecting healthy food options:

• Those low in fat and calories.
• Foods high in nutrients and
• Increasing the amount of time you spend exercising

You can greatly impact your overall weight and health.

Overcoming obesity does more than lower your risk for high blood cholesterol – it decreases your risk for approximately 30 different obesity-related medical conditions.

It also makes you feel better in general.

Follow the tips found on this site and begin your journey to overcoming obesity today. Here's how.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

• Schedule activities with others to help you stick to them.
• Sign up for an exercise class.
• Walk the golf course instead of getting a cart.
• If you have joint problems, try swimming for exercise.
• Consider hiring a personal trainer.
• Instead of playing a video game or watching a movie, head outside to get some exercise.
• Join a gym or fitness center.

If you have high blood cholesterol, you definitely must act now before a serious complication such as:

• A heart attack
• A stroke or something worse like
• DEATH occurs!

This is your life; not a game or a movie.

You can change it starting right now.

Do not wait another day. Will you make the decision to change right now?