My midsection is not what it use to be! The weight has creeped in with time. Did you know that if you carry excess baggage in your midsection, the risks are greater than if the extra pounds settle on your hips? You actually place a strain on your heart and body when you're heavier than you should be . When a person without heart disease is first diagnosed with elevated blood cholesterol, doctors often prescribe a program of diet, exercise, and weight loss to bring levels down. The National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines suggest at least a six-month program of reduced dietary saturated fat and cholesterol, together with physical activity and weight control, as the primary treatment before resorting to drug therapy. Many people respond well to this and end up sufficiently reducing blood cholesterol levels. Study data reinforce these benefits. For example, a 1998 Columbia University study examined 103 male and female patients of diverse ages and ethnic backgrounds and found that reducing dietary saturated fat directly affected blood cholesterol. For every 1 percent drop in saturated fat, the study showed a 1 percent lowering of LDL in patients. You should start by maintaining a healthy diet...set a date to start an excerise regiment and stick to it. Never go on a crash diet or fall for one of those... "lose 10lbs in 3 days". It's not worth the risk to your health. Set an appointment to see your medical professional to discuss your plans and get a check up. The good news is that losing as little as 5%-10% of your body weight can reduce your risk of heart disease, by lowering your cholesterol levels and blood pressure and improving blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. High cholesterol can be a problem for anyone...large or small! The key is cutting down on those saturated fats and replacing them with good ones. For further advice visit http://www.you-and-your-cholesterol.com |
