When thinking about weight-loss, one usually has an “ideal” body size or weight in mind. Oftentimes, this image is conjured from cultural norms which are focused on appearance instead of health.
When most people begin the weight management journey, they do so thinking they have to lose dozens of pounds in order to reap the benefits of better health. However, this is a misconception. Studies have shown that even modest amounts of weight-loss can lead to big outcomes, so you shouldn’t discount any inch of progress made on your journey with weight!
Modest Weight-loss and Your Body
So what are we talking about when we use the term “modest?” The same studies mentioned above have proven that weight-loss of just five to ten percent can significantly impact the body in many ways. This means that an individual weighing 200 pounds can benefit greatly from losing just 10 to 20 pounds.
But what health benefits are we talking about, exactly? There’s plenty of scientific evidence that proves many obesity-related conditions can improve with modest weight-loss. Let’s take a look at a few of them below.
- Insulin Resistance – When your body gains weight, the pancreas may produce larger amounts of insulin that cause an increase in fat tissue. Even with modest weight-loss, insulin levels can significantly decrease.
- Inflammation – Fat cells, and especially abdominal fat cells, produce a large number of substances resulting in inflammation of the blood vessels. In effect, this can lead to clots, strokes and heart attacks. When weight-loss achieves a level of 10 percent, the levels of inflammatory substances in the blood drop significantly.
- Cholesterol – Weight-loss of just five to 10 percent can increase the levels of “good” cholesterol in our bodies, also known as HDL. Additionally, it decreases harmful triglycerides and lowers our risk for developing heart disease.
- Hypertension – As body weight increases, it can result in elevated blood pressure. With modest weight-loss, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure can decrease significantly.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a disorder commonly diagnosed in patients with excess weight that snore or gasp for air during sleep. This can result in fatigue and make certain diseases less responsive to treatment. Even modest amounts of weight-loss such as five to 10 percent can help increase oxygen levels in the blood during sleep.
Want More Information on the Health Benefits of Modest Weight-loss?
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