Can High Cholesterol Cause Weight Gain?
Essentially, no, high cholesterol does not directly cause weight gain but the habits that lead to high cholesterol are the same that can lead to weight gain. For example, having a diet that contains many high cholesterol, and fatty foods will raise your body’s cholesterol and will likely also cause you to put on a few pounds. In the other direction, though, being overweight may influence your cholesterol levels.
Because the same lifestyle choices that affect your cholesterol levels also affect your weight, many people who have high cholesterol also are prone to notable weight gain. As much as 10% of adults over the age of 20 in the US have high cholesterol, and 40% of adults experience obesity, meaning both are important to understand how to tackle.
On the bright side, knowing the connections between the two means that you can take tangible steps to address it. If you have high cholesterol and are also trying to manage your weight, you can make several lifestyle changes that can make progress toward both. A holistic weight loss program focused on nutritious eating and healthy habit formation may accelerate this progress and help you stay on top of your health and wellness.
An Overview of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that is produced by the liver to build cells in the body and is also found in some foods like meat, dairy, and other animal foods. If your body has a high level of cholesterol above normal amounts, it can build up in the bloodstream and in your arteries. High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, can pose additional health risks, like the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
However, not all cholesterol is the same. There are two types of cholesterol—low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
- LDL cholesterol is often called bad cholesterol, as this is the type that can cause plaque that can clog your arteries.
- HDL cholesterol is known as good cholesterol as it is the type that carries bad cholesterol out of the bloodstream to the liver so it can be filtered out of the body.
High cholesterol may be caused by a variety of factors. The most common include:
- A diet high in saturated and trans fats
- A diet high in dairy, red meat, and other animal products
- A genetic predisposition to high cholesterol
- A lack of physical activity
- Smoking
- Obesity
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits has a significant impact on your cholesterol and is foundational to avoiding a buildup of high LDL cholesterol.
The Relationship Between Cholesterol and Weight Gain
High cholesterol doesn’t usually have any symptoms, including weight-related symptoms, so it does not directly cause weight gain. In fact, many people who have high cholesterol are not overweight at all.
A large reason for the common correlation between cholesterol and weight gain is that the lifestyle choices that lead to high cholesterol can also influence weight gain. For example, a sedentary lifestyle with minimal exercise will likely contribute to high cholesterol as well as encourage weight gain.
Even more so, if you are eating a significant number of foods high in saturated and trans fats, like oily fried foods, red meats, and processed foods that raise cholesterol, they are also likely to increase your chances of gaining extra weight.
However, this doesn’t mean that these two things aren’t linked directly either. Being overweight may increase the risk of high cholesterol, and healthy weight management may be an important part of also managing your cholesterol levels.
How Weight Gain Can Impact Cholesterol Levels
Gaining weight can increase your risk of experiencing high cholesterol. Research shows that people who have a significant amount of body fat have higher levels of bad LDL cholesterol and lower levels of good HDL cholesterol. Some research actually shows that every 10 pounds of excess body fat produces an additional 10mg of cholesterol each day.
Weight gain can impact cholesterol in the following ways:
- Obesity leads to the increased production of triglycerides, a type of fat, which can lead to a buildup of LDL in the blood.
- Carrying weight around the abdomen can increase the production of triglycerides and lipoproteins that cause high cholesterol.
- Excessive weight gain can lead to metabolic syndrome, which can lead to abnormal cholesterol levels.
- The liver plays an integral role in processing fats, producing cholesterol, and filtering out bad cholesterol. A fatty liver resulting from obesity can make the liver less efficient and increase cholesterol levels.
On the other side of things, losing weight may be a positive influence on your cholesterol. Some experts say that as low as 5 to 10% weight loss may help improve your cholesterol numbers.
A Holistic Approach To Weight Loss
re:vitalize programs address both body and mind, empowering you with the foods, tools, and habits you need for long-term weight loss success.
Can Lowering Cholesterol Help with Weight Loss?
Lowering cholesterol can help with weight loss. Studies have shown that losing 20 pounds can reduce LDL cholesterol by 15% and triglycerides by 30% while also increasing HDL cholesterol. Plus, the habits you implement for one are also beneficial for the other—in other words, the steps you to lower your cholesterol will also likely encourage weight loss.
Habits that are beneficial for lowering cholesterol and losing weight include:
- Dietary changes – Incorporating nutritious whole foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while avoiding foods high in saturated fat will help promote heart health and aid in weight management.
- Physical activity – Regular exercise has several incredible benefits for both, including lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL cholesterol, as well as helping you burn calories to aid in weight control.
In addition to diet and exercise, medications also provide an option for lowering your cholesterol levels. Statins are medications used to treat high cholesterol. Many statins don’t include weight gain as a side effect, but one study shows that statins may affect hormones that regulate appetite, which may cause you to eat more and gain weight.
The benefits of taking cholesterol medications outweigh the risks. However, medications can provide a false sense of security, making you think you can maintain unhealthy lifestyle choices and still be protected against bad cholesterol. Even with the support of a medication, it’s crucial that you maintain a foundation of healthy lifestyle choices to promote a healthy weight and cholesterol.
Other Factors Complicating the Relationship Between Cholesterol and Weight Gain
The link between cholesterol and weight gain is not always straightforward. A variety of additional factors can muddy this relationship by also influencing your cholesterol levels and weight gain.
Some of the factors that influence the relationship between cholesterol and weight gain are:
- Genetics – Some people may be more prone to high cholesterol because of their family genetics, which can lead to conditions like familial combined hyperlipidemia.
- Age and hormonal changes – As we get older, times of hormonal changes, like menopause or declining testosterone levels, can lead to an increase in cholesterol levels and contribute to weight gain.
- Medications and health conditions – Medications like beta-blockers and cortico-steroids may lower HDL levels in the body and potentially increase LDL, while medical conditions like diabetes and an underactive thyroid can also influence your cholesterol.
Practical Tips for Managing Cholesterol and Weight Together
Because the habits that lead to healthy cholesterol levels also lead to weight management, it’s easy to incorporate habits that help you manage both. Being conscious of and intentional about your lifestyle choices and habits can go a long way toward creating a healthier you.
Incorporate some of the following habits to manage both your cholesterol levels and your weight:
- Balanced diet – Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fiber, healthy fats, and lean proteins can help promote healthy cholesterol levels.
- Exercise routine – Engage in at least 150 minutes of regular exercise a week that involves cardiovascular and strength training exercises can help you stay active to increase HDL cholesterol levels, burn calories, and lose weight.
- Stress management – Managing stress by making time for activities like meditation, yoga, or other hobbies you may enjoy can best position your body for weight loss and healthy cholesterol levels.
- Regular check-ups – Regular visits with your doctor will help you monitor your cholesterol levels as well as your weight loss progress so you can make any necessary adjustments in your routine.
Being proactive about incorporating these changes can help you take charge of your cholesterol and your weight. However, it’s not always easy to implement these habits on your own. If you need added support and accountability, our team of expert weight loss coaches and board-certified nutritionists at re:vitalize weight loss and wellness can help you achieve the results you’ve always hoped for in one of our holistic weight loss programs.
Prioritize Your Health with Holistic Weight Loss Strategies
High cholesterol does not cause weight gain, but if you are overweight, you may be at a higher risk for high cholesterol levels. Plus, if you have a diet high in saturated fats or you don’t exercise frequently, you could be putting yourself at risk for both. If you struggle with both high cholesterol and weight gain, you’ll benefit from a holistic weight loss program centered around healthy habit formation.
At re:vitalize weight loss and wellness, we offer personalized programs that support you in a successful weight loss journey and in a path to healthy cholesterol. Centered on eating inherently heart-healthy, nutritious whole foods, our programs are perfect for losing weight while also maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
We begin all our Flexible Weight Loss programs and our Weight Loss and Metabolic Reset programs with our unique BioScan™ technology to identify which nutrients are optimal for your weight loss and wellness success so you can build a meal plan centered around them. With a focus on nutrition, our members experience a long list of other non-scale benefits, including increased energy levels, better sleep, and a better mood.
Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with our team at re:vitalize to learn more about how our programs can help you achieve lasting weight loss.
