Elevated cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. Along with dietary changes and medication, exercise can be an effective lifestyle measure to help lower high cholesterol. Understanding how different forms of exercise help reduce cholesterol can motivate individuals to start an exercise program as part of their cholesterol management plan.
Understand The Effect Of Exercise On Lowering Cholesterol
Exercise has a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels in the body. It helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. This happens through various mechanisms:
- Increases HDL production: Exercise stimulates enzymes that help move cholesterol from tissues to the liver where it is processed and excreted. This results in more HDL production.
- Decreases triglycerides: Exercise helps burn triglycerides stored in fat cells and muscle tissue. Lower triglycerides mean lower production of VLDL cholesterol.
- Reduces LDL oxidation: Exercise prevents the oxidation of LDL particles, which makes them less likely to stick to blood vessel walls and form plaques.
- Improves cholesterol metabolism: Exercise makes LDL receptors on cell membranes more responsive, so more LDL is removed from the bloodstream.
The overall impact is a reduction in blood cholesterol levels and plaque formation. Even modest exercise can improve cholesterol numbers. Greater intensity and frequency provide increased benefits.
Also Check: Can Corn Actually Help You Lose Weight? The Surprising Facts
Which Are The Best Exercises To Lower Cholesterol?
All forms of aerobic exercise are beneficial for lowering cholesterol. The best options include:
- Brisk walking: A daily 30-60 minute brisk walk significantly improves cholesterol numbers. Walking is easy, accessible, and low impact.
- Jogging and running: Those who can do jogging or running can achieve greater aerobic benefits and cholesterol reduction at higher intensities.
- Swimming: A non-weight-bearing full-body exercise, swimming is ideal even for those with joint issues. Aim for 30-45 minutes of laps most days.
- Cycling: Whether outdoor or stationary, cycling raises heart rate and burns calories to reduce cholesterol. Build up to 60 minutes daily.
- Rowing: Rowing machines allow a high cardio workout that works for all major muscle groups while improving cholesterol profile.
- Jumping rope: An intense, portable cardio option, jumping rope is especially good for raising HDL. Do intervals for 15-20 minutes daily.
- Aerobics classes: Take your pick from options like Zumba, aerobics, kickboxing, or dance workouts to make exercising more fun.
Combining cardio with some strength training gives added benefits for cholesterol reduction.
How Do The Exercises Lower Cholesterol Levels?
Aerobic exercises help lower cholesterol in many ways:
- Burns fat: Exercise sessions burn calories and reduce body fat, including visceral belly fat. This directly lowers cholesterol production.
- Reduces inflammation: Exercise lowers inflammation levels which reduces plaque formation in arteries.
- Improves insulin sensitivity: Better insulin function means improved cholesterol metabolism.
- Boosts heart health: Exercise strengthens the heart and blood vessels for better cholesterol regulation.
- Manages weight: Maintaining an optimal weight through exercise reduces cholesterol levels.
- Releases endorphins: Exercise-induced endorphins help relieve stress which indirectly lowers cholesterol.
- Increases energy use: More physical activity causes more cholesterol and triglycerides to be used for energy.
Sticking to the recommended 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise most days provides optimal cholesterol-lowering benefits along with numerous other cardiovascular advantages.
Read More: Exercises To Boost Vitamin D – Don’t Just Take a Supplement! The Best Workouts And Tips
Conclusion
Regular aerobic exercise has clearly proven benefits when it comes to improving cholesterol profile and heart health. It helps lower LDL and triglycerides while increasing protective HDL cholesterol.
Options like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and running when done most days for 30-60 minutes can significantly boost cholesterol numbers, especially when combined with dietary changes. By understanding how exercise provides cardioprotective effects, individuals can feel motivated to start exercising to improve cholesterol management.
FAQs
A1. You can expect to see a measurable drop in LDL and triglycerides and a rise in HDL as soon as 6-8 weeks after starting regular aerobic exercise. The effects continue to improve with sustained physical activity.
A2. Discontinuing exercise may cause cholesterol improvements to plateau. But as long as you maintain a healthy diet, your cholesterol should not rebound to pre-exercise levels immediately.
A3. For most people, moderate exercise has no major side effects and actually provides myriad health benefits beyond just cholesterol reduction. However, statins may still be warranted based on your cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.
A4. Consult your doctor on modifications and exercise options appropriate for your condition. Non-weight-bearing activities like cycling, swimming, or rowing machine are gentle on the joints.
A5. Combining frequent aerobic exercise with cholesterol-lowering statins and a healthy diet can produce very significant reductions in LDL and triglycerides, even in those with familial hypercholesterolemia. Work closely with your doctor to monitor your progress.
