Fit Tip #8 - Good Cholesterol (HDL), can be increased via exercise

The benefits of exercise go beyond your external appearance…

Fit Tip 8 - Good Cholesterol (HDL), can be increased via exercise.

We all know that good cholesterol helps to keep heart disease away - but exactly what, how, and why?

HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), sometimes called the “good” or “healthy” cholesterol, is responsible for the transport of cholesterol from the blood and artery walls to the liver where it is converted to bile to be used for digestion or disposed of by the body. This ‘transporting process’ is what is believed to be helpful in preventing or reversing heart disease.

To be precise, studies have shown that the risk of Coronary Heart Disease increases by 2 to 3% for every 1.0 mg/dl decrease in HDL-C.

Simply said, exercise increases the activity of several enzymes that enhance the cholesterol ‘transport process’, to alter the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Individuals wishing to increase their HDL levels ought to exercise at least three to four times per week, and the exercise sessions ought to last for at least 20 minutes (though 40 would be better!).

Are you getting anything close to the recommended levels of exercise as suggested above? If not… it’s still not too late to start.