8 ways to lose weight and improve cholesterol
Losing weight can improve your cholesterol levels and help prevent heart problems.
Jan, 2026
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Did you know that being overweight tends to increase your cholesterol? Having a higher percentage of body fat—especially around your waistline—can raise levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, and lower levels of good-for-you HDL cholesterol. The good news is that losing weight may improve your cholesterol numbers, which can help you prevent heart problems down the road. Sound like a win-win? Keep reading for simple ideas on how to lose weight to benefit your health.
Written byMichael Gollust.
Medically reviewed byMark Arredondo, MD.
Sources: American Heart Association. The skinny on fats. Last reviewed November 11 + 2
- American Heart Association. The skinny on fats. Last reviewed November 11, 2020.
- Chao AM, Jastreboff AM, White MA, Grilo CM, Sinha R. Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2017 Apr;25(4):713-720.
- Robertson MC, Raber M, Liao Y, et al. Patterns of self-monitoring technology use and weight loss in people with overweight or obesity. Transl Behav Med. 2021;11(8):1537-1547.
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