7 Secrets to Cholesterol Management -- Secret #2Written by Cindi Smith Secret #2 – Get Moving!We all know the health benefits that result from good cardiovascular exercise. Although researchers aren't entirely surehowexercise lowers cholesterol, they all agree that it does. "Lots of people, even lots of doctors, assume thatexercise lowers cholesterol," says Amit Khera, MD, director of the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center's Program in Preventive Cardiology. "But until recently, most of us weren't sure just what the connection was."Researchers now believe there are several mechanisms involved. First, exercise stimulates enzymes that help move LDL from the blood (and blood-vessel walls) to the liver. From there, the cholesterol is converted into bile (for digestion) or excreted. So the more you exercise, the more LDL your body expels.Weight loss and diet can account for up to a 20% reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. Aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling, jogging, and swimming, appear to benefit cholesterol the most by lowering LDL by 5% to 10%. Other forms of exercise, such as yoga, walking and weight-bearing exercises, have also been shown to decrease LDL levels. However, these forms of exercise have not been as extensively studied as aerobic exercise.In general, most public health organizations recommend, at a minimum, 30 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous exercise, such as walking, jogging, biking, or gardening. A 2002 study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that more intense exercise is actually better than moderate exercise for lowering cholesterol.Whatever form your exercise takes, the key is todo it regularly.Look for Secret #3, coming soon to the Slim Blog.
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