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Relationship Between Exercise and Cholesterol

According to the American Heart Association, "Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells." Medical studies have proven that exercise can positively affect cholesterol levels.

  1. Cholesterol

    • There is both good and bad cholesterol. LDL is the bad cholesterol; it can build up in the arteries and form plaque. HDL is the good cholesterol; it's believed to carry cholesterol away from the arteries.

    Exercise

    • Exercise helps lower the LDL cholesterol and raise the HDL cholesterol.

    Research

    • Duke University Medical Center researchers studied 182 overweight men and women and found that after eight months of exercise, all groups saw short-term cholesterol benefits. The groups that exercised the most vigorously saw the greatest cholesterol benefits.

    Weight

    • Being overweight and having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more increases your risk for high cholesterol. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight.

    Diseases

    • Exercise can help prevent diseases caused by high cholesterol such as coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

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