|  | Conditions Treatments | Cholesterol

Exercises to Reduce Cholesterol

Exercise can help lower your cholesterol and make you healthier, without having to rely on medication. While a regular exercise program will be good for your overall health, there are ways to tailor your regimen toward lowering your cholesterol.

  1. How It Works

    • Exercise gets your heart pumping harder and raises your metabolism, so you burn more calories. Since many of these calories are from fat, which adds to your cholesterol, lowering your fat levels will also lower your LDL cholesterol levels (the bad cholesterol). At the same time, you'll be raising your HDL cholesterol level (the good cholesterol).

    Best Exercises

    • Focus your program around aerobic exercises, including walking, jogging, biking, swimming and circuit training. Aerobic exercise can lower your LDL cholesterol level from 5 percent to 10 percent and raise your HDL cholesterol level by 3 percent to 6 percent Yoga and tai chi also might work well, though they haven't been studied as thoroughly as aerobics as a means to cut cholesterol.

    Frequency

    • For a workout program to have an effect on your body, you need to do a 30-minute workout at least three times a week. It also should be done on a regular schedule. If you know you can't do the 30 minutes in one session, break it up into shorter sessions throughout the day. The key is to get your heart beating faster.

    Diet and Health Concerns

    • In conjunction with exercise, adopting a healthier, balanced diet, losing weight and quitting smoking can all help you quickly improve your cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol - Related Articles