When it comes to your health, there are few things that have more influence than your weight. And, unfortunately, two out of three women are either overweight or obese, leaving them to face some very serious diseases unless they make a change.

At Cross Roads Hormonal Health & Wellness, the experienced team of women’s health experts understands the impact that extra weight can have on a woman’s health, which is why we offer weight-loss services that are targeted to the unique needs of women.

Here’s a look at some of the health issues that come with extra weight and how losing weight can put you on a healthier path forward.

Straight to your heart

Some of the biggest health issues that stem from being overweight or obese are tied to your cardiovascular health. Carrying extra weight increases your risk of developing:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart attack
• Stroke

One of the primary reasons why weight has such a large influence is that extra fat can build up in your bloodstream, causing your arteries to narrow. As well, when you’re bigger, your heart has to work harder to deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood.

Regulating sugar

One of the most clear and present dangers of being overweight or obese is Type 2 diabetes. This disease leaves you unable to regulate the glucose in your blood, either because of insulin resistance or not enough insulin.

Insulin is the hormone responsible for delivering the sugars in your blood into your cells. If you build up a resistance or you don’t have enough insulin, you’re left with dangerously high sugar levels in your blood, which can lead to a variety of issues, such as heart problems and nerve damage.

Bone health

While diabetes and heart problems affect both men and women, bone health is an area that’s of particular concern for women. As you get older (especially as you pass through menopause), your bones may lose density, leaving you vulnerable to fractures. And if you’re carrying extra weight, you’re taxing an already stressed skeletal system, making you more even more susceptible to bone damage.

Reproductive health

While the exact links are still unclear, women who are overweight or obese have more problems with several reproductive issues, including:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Uterine fibroids
• Breast cancer
• Fertility

There’s another point that’s one worth underscoring: Women who are obese have more risk of developing preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Even a small amount helps

The good news in all of this is that it’s well within your power to make some positive changes in your health through weight loss. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that even losing just 5-10% of your total body weight can reduce your risk for conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

And we’re here to help you make the first steps through our weight-loss services. From tailored nutrition and exercise programs to hormone replacement therapies, we can help you move your weight needle in the right direction.

To get started on reducing your health risks through weight loss, contact our Cross Roads, Texas, practice at 940-213-2713.