Exercise to Control Cholesterol

Most people know that eating that greasy piece of pepperoni pizza isn’t going to help your cholesterol, but what you eat is only one part of the cholesterol puzzle. Your family history also plays a role, as does your activity level. Exercise can have a positive impact on your cholesterol levels.

Do you know what your cholesterol levels are? CDC researchers determined that, in the US, only about half of young adults get their cholesterol tested. The low screening rate is a bit scary because the CDC also determined that roughly a quarter of young adults have elevated “bad” cholesterol levels. Whether you have other risk factors or not, it’s a good idea to get screened and to take proactive measures to control your cholesterol.

As bad of a rep as it has, our bodies actually need some cholesterol to function. But it’s important to keep it in balance. Consistent exercise can lower triglycerides (which is something you don’t want) and raise HDL (which you want lots and lots of). Some tips:

- It’s not what you do, it’s how often you do it. For cholesterol benefits, it’s important to exercise regularly. Carve out time every day for exercise and really make it a priority.

- Mix it up. Once, it was thought that only aerobic exercise benefited cholesterol. Now, it’s understood that cardio workouts, strength training and even flexibility exercises can all contribute. Plus, a varied workout will keep you interested and motivated.