When thinking about weight loss, often people have an ‘ideal’ body weight in mind or an ultimate weight loss goal. You might think that unless you lose ten kilos that you won’t be any healthier. Right? Wrong! Let the Doc give you the benefits of just what losing 5% body fat does for your health.
The Medical Evidence
#docgoals in full swing! Research shows that there are significant health benefits that come from losing just 5 percent of your body fat. Not only has it been shown to markedly lower the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease; it simultaneously improves the metabolic function in liver, fat, and muscle tissue.
Decrease Cholesterol Levels
We can decrease our levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol with the help of certain medications. Increasing ‘good’ cholesterol, known as “HDL cholesterol”, however, is a little bit more difficult. A medical study suggests that a 5 percent body fat loss can result in an increase in good cholesterol. This is an impressive result and in turn lowers the risk of developing heart disease – a result that can be complimented with a regular exercise regime and healthy diet!
High Blood Pressure
Excess body weight can adversely affect high blood pressure. This is because, as body weight increases so do problems with our blood circulation and other issues that can impact, and elevate, our blood pressure. Losing 5 percent of your body weight can help to instantly reduce blood pressure.
Doc tip: Adding more vegetables and fruit into your diet as well as reducing your salt intake can help to improve these results (and your weight loss) even further!
Diabetes
One of the ways that we can screen for diabetes is through our Hemoglobin (A1C) levels. Normal levels typically sit below 6.5. However, a 5 percent decrease on weight loss can help to decrease your blood sugar levels.
If you have Diabetes we definitely recommend checking in with one of our Doctors to talk through the positive affect that weight loss can make to your body – and life!
Similarly, modest weight loss can significantly decrease insulin levels and break down insulin resistance – a disorder that can result in an increase in fat tissue; especially in the waist area, abnormal cholesterol, and oftentimes a change in certain levels.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is signified by pauses and gaps in breathing during sleep that results in insufficient oxygenation. Research suggests that just a 5 percent weight loss can help to improve sleep apnoea; a result that we have seen first hand at The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia with Mark Scholz who lost over 15 kg’s and resolved his sleep apnoea!
So, What's Next?
It may go without saying that continued weight loss especially fat loss is important for your health and will prosper continued health results. However, the moral of the story is that you don’t have to lose 20kg of overall weight to get impressive (and important) health benefits. Losing just a small amount of body fat can help your health in the long term.
The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia and our team of experienced Doctors are focussed on fat loss and provide unwavering support throughout your weight loss journey with face-to-face consults and regular check-ins and calorie controlled weight loss meals.
At your next check in with your Doctor, you can see first hand just much body fat you have lost and the benefits that this will have for your health.