Can High Cholesterol Cause Weight Gain

How Much Weight To Lose To Lower Your Cholesterol

Losing as little as 10 pounds can be enough to improve your cholesterol levels.

In one study, people who lost at least 5% of their weight significantly reduced their levels of LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. But people who lost less than 5% of their weight only had lower levels of triglycerides.

What Is My Risk For High Cholesterol

To understand your risk of developing high cholesterol, you will need to have a blood test so your doctor can measure the amount of lipids, or fats, in your blood. This is called a complete fasting lipoprotein profile and will include measurements for your low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides.

The table below demonstrates what cholesterol numbers are considered healthy, borderline and high risk for developing cardiovascular disease:;

Types of Cholesterol

What Is Metabolic Syndrome

The word “metabolic” is used when talking about how your body uses food and makes energy, and metabolic syndrome describes a group of factors or conditions that raise your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.

You may be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

Abdominal Obesity;This refers to excess belly fat, or carrying a lot of extra weight around your middle. A waistline of;40 inches or more for a man, and 35;inches or more for a woman, increases heart disease risk. Having too much belly fat is more of a risk indicator than having fat in other places on your body.

High Blood Sugar This ooccurs when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal when measured while fasting . Blood glucose higher than 100 milligrams per deciliter increases risk of heart disease.

High Triglycerides Levels;Having too much of this type of fat in your blood raises your heart disease risk. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher are unhealthy.

Low HDL Levels This;means you don’t have enough;high-density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol, in your blood. Higher levels of HDL offer protection from heart disease, so the higher your number, the better.;Levels less than 40 mg/dL for men, and less than 50 mg/dL for women, are considered too low.

High Blood Pressure;A blood pressure level above 130/85 mm Hg increases your heart disease risk.

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Does Crestor Cause Weight Gain

Crestor is a statin drug made by AstraZeneca that helps lower low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, in people with hypercholesterolemia . It accomplishes this effect in two ways: by blocking cholesterol production and by encouraging your liver to break down cholesterol thats already in the blood . In addition to high cholesterol, Crestor is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat high triglyceride levels.

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Weight gain is complicated with nuanced causes, which is why the answer to whether Crestor causes weight gain isnt so cut and dry. Crestor does not appear to cause weight gain directly, but it may indirectly lead to increased weight. Crestors most common side effects in clinical trials include headaches, nausea, myalgia , asthenia , and constipation .;

Weight gain is not noted as an adverse effect in these clinical trials, which looked at the safety and efficacy of Crestor. But further studies have uncovered two ways rosuvastatin may indirectly encourage weight gain in people taking this common statin drug. One study showed an increase in caloric intake in statin users vs. non-users from 1999-2010.;;

Exercise To Build Muscle

Don’t stop exercising just because you’re trying to gain weight. But, instead of burning as many calories as possible, focus on building muscle and strength. Using weights or other forms of resistance training can help.

“Include moderate amounts of resistance training, remembering not to aim for high-calorie output,” says Dr. Collings.

If you still have trouble gaining weight, or if your cholesterol starts to rise, talk to your doctor. A registered nutritionist can also help create an eating plan that works for you, and a fitness trainer might be helpful for designing an exercise program to help you safely and effectively build muscle mass.

Read more: Everything Beginners Need to Know to Build Muscle

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What Is High Ldl

Cholesterol itself is a necessary substance in the body. Its manufactured in your liver and it can be present in certain foods, especially meats, eggs, and dairy. LDL is a lipoproteina substance that conveys cholesterol to cells, aiding in maintaining cell structure, and serving as a precursor for substances vital to human function. Everyone has some amount of this lipoprotein, but problems arise when these are elevated.

When there is an excess of LDL, plaques build up in the arteries, causing atherosclerosis and reducing blood flow. When your hearts arteries are affected, insufficient oxygen levels damage cardiac muscles and cause CAD, angina , and even heart attack. Further, arteries in other parts of the body can also be affected, leading to peripheral artery disease and stroke.

Too Much Cholesterol In The Blood Directly Affects The Heart And May Result In An Increase In Cardiac

Mumbai:;Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid and is vital for the normal functioning of the body. While “good” cholesterol have long known to be beneficial, its excess can also raise your risk of death, researchers claim. Once too much of cholesterol start to accumulate in our body, it becomes a breeding ground for physiology disorders. Too much cholesterol in the blood directly affects the heart and may result in an increase in cardiac-related illnesses. Increasing cholesterol also increases the risk of heart attack.

Here are some of the symptoms which indicate cholesterol increase in the body:

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Ways To Lower Cholesterol

Check your own cholesterol level and if it’s high, ask to have your kids’ levels checked.

Here are 5 ways to help keep your family’s cholesterol in control:

Serve a heart-healthy diet, including:- vegetables, fruit, and whole grains- lean meats and poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and soy products- nonfat or low-fat milk and dairy products- healthy fats, like those found in fish, nuts, and vegetable oils

Limit drinks and foods with added sugars.

Read nutrition facts labels so that you can limit cholesterol and saturated fat and trans fat.

Encourage plenty of exercise. Exercise helps boost HDL levels in the blood and that’s a good thing! Kids and teens should be physically active at least 60 minutes a day.

Help your kids keep a healthy weight.

It’s important to make healthy living a family effort. The steps you take to improve your family’s lifestyle will have a positive effect on your family’s health now and far into the future.

When Should My Cholesterol Levels Be Tested

Your GP may recommend that you have your blood cholesterol levels tested if you:

• have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke or mini stroke , or peripheral arterial disease
• have a family history of early;cardiovascular disease
• have a close family member who has a cholesterol-related condition
• are overweight

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The Link Between Thyroid Disease And Cholesterol

• High cholesterol is linked to hypothyroidism .
• A sudden drop in cholesterol can be a warning sign of hyperthyroidism .
• Treating thyroid disease can correct cholesterol levels.
• Cholesterol drugs can affect thyroid disease and its treatments.

This article talks more about why thyroid disease and high cholesterol are linked, the problems that can cause, and how to manage both conditions at once.

Misconception: Cholesterol Isnt A Concern For Children

High cholesterol can be inherited. This is referred to as familial hypercholesterolemia.

Children who have this genetic disorder are at very high risk of heart disease. This problem is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide. Once identified, children with this condition may require aggressive treatment with medications.

Cholesterol testing could be considered for children and adolescents with elevated risk. That includes children or adolescents with:

• Family history of early cardiovascular disease
• Family history of total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or above
• Obesity or other metabolic risk factors

Regardless of their risk, all children benefit from a healthy diet and lifestyle. Establishing healthy eating and physical activity habits early can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems over time.

Evidence shows that the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood and progresses slowly into adulthood. Later in life, this often leads to coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

To reduce your childs risk, its important to:

• Discourage cigarette smoking.
• Identify and treat high blood pressure.
• Help your child maintain a healthy weight.
• Diagnose and treat diabetes.
• Encourage a healthy diet.

Children age 2 and older should eat a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and limits sodium and sugar sweetened foods and drinks.

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Misconception: With Medications No Lifestyle Changes Are Needed

Medications can help control cholesterol levels, but making diet and lifestyle changes are the best way to reduce heart disease and stroke risk. To lower your cholesterol, eat a heart-healthy diet and get at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise a week.

Its also important to take your medication exactly as your doctor has instructed.

Learn more about cholesterol medications.

Cholesterol And Heart Problems

A heart attack is a serious medical condition wherein if immediate treatment is not provided to the patient, damage caused to the heart could be irreversible.

While the liver and kidneys manufacture the bulk of the cholesterol we need, food also contributes to the bodys overall cholesterol levels, albeit in smaller amounts. Our blood vessels are lined by cells that are very sensitive to changes in the bloodstream. Any fluctuation in cholesterol levels may cause these cell walls to expand or shrink, which can lead to inflammation and plaque build-up. This condition can cause the arteries to harden or bulge and cause blockages that lead to heart attacks or strokes.

As a child, you must have heard your mother asking you to avoid fatty food as it contains cholesterol, which is the reason behind all kinds of health problems.

Signs of a heart attack include:

• Tightness, squeezing, pain in the chest and arms
• Difficulty breathing
• Anxiety or a feeling of impending doom
• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue

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Do Statins Cause Weight Gain

A 2014 study of almost 28,000 U.S. adults compared people who didnt take statins and people who did take statins over an 11-year period. People who didnt take statins didnt change their eating habits or gain significant weight. People who did take statins consumed more calories and fat over time, and gained more weight.;

The study also showed that statin users had a faster increase in body mass index than those who didnt use statins.

There are a couple explanations that may be at play:

• Behavioral. Some people who take statins may place less emphasis on their diet since the medication is doing the work of lowering their cholesterol.;
• Physical. A potential side effect of statins is muscle pain and weakness. If people are experiencing this side effect, they may be less likely to exercise, which could result in weight gain.;

Symptoms Of High Cholesterol

Often, there are no specific symptoms of high cholesterol. You could have high cholesterol and not know it.

If you have high cholesterol, your body may store the extra cholesterol in your arteries. These are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. A buildup of cholesterol in your arteries is known as plaque. Over time, plaque can become hard and make your arteries narrow. Large deposits of plaque can completely block an artery. Cholesterol plaques can also break apart, leading to formation of a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood.

A blocked artery to the heart can cause a heart attack. A blocked artery to your brain can cause a stroke.

Many people dont discover that they have high cholesterol until they suffer one of these life-threatening events. Some people find out through routine check-ups that include blood tests.

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How To Find Out For Sure If You Have Leaky Gut

There are several tests that have been developed, and more on the way, that can tell you if you have some degree of leaky gut.

1. There is a urine test that involves first swallowing a carbohydrate that will only make it across your intestinal lining and into your blood and urine if your gut is leaky.

2. It is also possible to identify leaky gut by checking for IgG and IgA antibodies to food in a blood test; and this test is often preferable because it gives us two pieces of information:

Whether or not there is leaky gut; and

Which foods you can avoid to help heal the leaky gut .

You can order a food sensitivity test here;and complete it at home.

3. A blood test that measures zonulin as well as a substance called actomyosin which is released when intestinal cells are damaged.

4. A breath test which, like the lactulose-mannitol test, involves first swallowing sugar mixed in water, and then breathing into tubes which will identify a gas that is only produced if your gut is healthy.

I can help you with determining which test is best for you: please;make an appointment! But if you want more information about how testing for leaky gut, please see Part 2 of my Leaky Gut series.

Note: Leaky gut cannot be found with an endoscopy or colonoscopy, and does not show on standard bloodwork, so it is missed by most practitioners.

Misconception: You Should Wait For Your Doctor To Mention Cholesterol

You need to take charge of your health. Starting at age 20, ask your doctor to test your cholesterol, assess your factors and estimate your risk for a heart attack or stroke.;

If youre between 20 and 39, your doctor can assess your lifetime risk. If youre between 40 and 75, they will assess your 10-year risk.;

Once you know your risk, you can take action to lower it. Your doctor may recommend diet and lifestyle changes and possibly medication. Follow all of your doctors instructions and have your cholesterol and other risk factors checked every four to six years as long as your risk remains low.

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Other Side Effects Of Statins

Potential side effects from statins include:

• Muscle pain and damage. Fatigue, soreness, or weakness can range from mild to interfering with daily activities. According to the Mayo Clinic, the risk of muscle pain from taking statins is about 5%. The Mayo Clinic indicates theres a very low risk of life threatening muscle damage . This risk occurs in a few cases per million people, and typically only affects people taking high doses of statins or statins in combination with specific drugs.
• Increased blood sugar or type 2 diabetes. When you take a statin, its possible your blood sugar level may increase. This, in turn, may lead to type 2 diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration indicates that the increased risk is small and outweighed by the statins benefits of reducing heart attacks and strokes.
• Liver damage. Your doctor may recommend a liver enzyme test before or soon after you start taking a statin. Sometimes, taking a statin can result in an increase in enzyme levels, signaling liver inflammation. Call your doctor if you notice symptoms of liver damage, such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark-colored urine, or pain in your upper abdomen.
• Neurological side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, while some statin users have reported confusion and memory loss, clinical research hasnt confirmed this to be a problem. In fact, the Mayo Clinic notes that some research suggests that statins could potentially prevent confusion and memory loss.

How Obesity Raises Your Risk Of High Cholesterol

Your body needs some cholesterol. Your liver makes the waxy substance to help build cells and store fat. Your body also uses it to make vitamin D, which is important for a healthy immune system.

The problem starts when thereâs too much LDL in your bloodstream, a condition called hypercholesterolemia. That can create fatty deposits that build up , block your arteries, and eventually restrict blood flow. That could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

One reason being overweight or obese raises your odds of high cholesterol is because it affects the way your body makes and manages lipoproteins, including cholesterol and triglycerides — another fatty substance, or lipid, your body needs in small amounts.

Triglycerides form in your liver from free fatty acids and a kind of glucose . If your body makes too many triglycerides, that can lead to higher levels of other lipoproteins as well, including cholesterol.

So being overweight or obese can raise your chances of high triglycerides and, in turn, high cholesterol because youâre more likely to:

• Have increased fat tissue in your body, which means higher amounts of free fatty acids are delivered to your liver. This is especially true if you carry the extra weight around your middle.
• Be insulin-resistant, which can also increase the amount of free fatty acids in your liver
• Have inflammation throughout your body, which can affect the way your body manages HDL, or âgood cholesterol,â and other lipoproteins

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Why Should You Care About Cholesterol

As we mentioned above, there are health risks associated with having high cholesterol that you definitely want to avoid. The buildup of LDL causes narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels and is known as atherosclerosis. This condition significantly raises your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

This isnt the only danger high cholesterol poses to your body. Excess cholesterol can cause gallstones to form in your gallbladder, which leads to severe abdominal pain. You are also raising your risk of developing chest pain called angina, which occurs when your heart doesnt get enough oxygen-rich blood pumping through it.