We all know that exercise is good for our physical and mental health.
Can Exercise Lower Cholesterol?
The benefits of exercising regularly can include improved sleep quality, enhanced moods, stronger muscles and bones and better brain function, but did you know that it can also lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke?
Our bodies contain two main types of cholesterol.
High-density lipoprotein, commonly known as HDL cholesterol, is the ‘good’ type. HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your cells by flushing it out through your liver. This means that high levels of HDL cholesterol may lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as LDL cholesterol, is the ‘bad’ one that can cause problems when elevated levels are present in your body. High LDL levels can cause blockages which will prevent blood flowing to your heart, increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease.
Of course, every person’s body and health profile is unique and we can’t look at HDL and LDL levels in isolation. But your LDL levels should ideally be lower than 5.5 mmol/L (millimoles per litre) if you have no other risk factors.
If you smoke, or if you have cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, your LDL cholesterol levels should be lower than 2 mmol/L.
Worryingly, around half of all Australian adults have a blood cholesterol level greater than 5 mmol/L. High blood cholesterol is an increasingly common health concern in Australia.
The fantastic news is that regular exercise and a reduction in excess body fat are two factors that can have a very positive impact on your cholesterol levels.
150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week is enough to increase your HDL cholesterol levels and lower your LDL cholesterol levels. This will also lower your blood pressure and reduce your overall risk of heart attack and stroke.
Short bursts of activity throughout the day are just as effective as one longer session, so fit in a 10-minute session on the treadmill, stationary bike, or rowing machine whenever you can. Hiring home exercise equipment from BeFit Hire makes this even easier, as you can exercise any time you like without having to leave home.
If reducing body fat is one of your goal an exercise bike can be a great option and you may also like to read our tips and tricks for weight loss. It’s also useful to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss if you are aiming to reduce body fat to improve your LDL cholesterol levels.
Whichever piece of home exercise equipment you choose to help reduce your cholesterol levels, BeFit Hire offers safety and convenience. We have a broad range of equipment available for hire including treadmills, manual and programmable cross-trainers, upright and recumbent rowing machines and back inversion tables.
We care about your health and you can rest easy knowing your BeFit agent has tested, cleaned and disinfected your hire equipment prior to delivery. We also offer free delivery to most of metro Adelaide and Melbourne for most hire periods, so get in touch today.
Photos from Shutter Stock
