The link between exercise and cholesterol has already been established by numerous studies.
Evidences gathered from these clinical studies show that the levels of cholesterol can be altered by adopting an exercise regimen.
Cholesterol is a fat-soluble substance that can either be absorbed by the body from the foods we eat or it can be synthesized in the liver.
Cholesterol plays a vital role in building cell membranes, producing sex hormones and forming bile acids.
However, when blood levels are beyond optimum amount, the body deposits its excess in the blood vessels resulting to an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Lipoproteins are the special transporters that carry cholesterol in the blood.
They are important in exchanging lipids among the liver, intestines, and peripheral tissues.
There are four main types classified according to the thickness of the protein shell that surrounds the cholesterol molecules and they are chylomicron, from triglycerides absorbed by the intestines; very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), from the liver for transporting triglycerides; low-density lipoprotein (LDL), product of metabolized VLDL; and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also synthesized by the liver.
The two main concerns here are the LDL and the HDL.
The LDL is the main transporter of cholesterol to the cells all over the body.
This is the culprit that deposits excess cholesterol in the artery walls.
As such, it is dubbed as the bad cholesterol.
It is not entirely bad though, so maintaining an optimum level of 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), with a range under 130 mg/dl should do you a lot of good.
HDL, on the other hand, is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the blood and artery walls to the liver.
This is called the reverse cholesterol transport process.
Once there, it is converted into bile which is used to aid in digestion or discarded from the body.
Because of this function, which helps lessen and reverse cardiovascular diseases, it is also known as the good cholesterol.
HDL levels must be maintained above 60 mg/dl.
Every 1.
0 mg/dl decrease of this lipoprotein increases the risk for heart diseases by 2-3%.
Exercise can produce a desirable effect on cholesterol metabolism.
It is positively linked with the increased production and activity of a number of enzymes that aid in the reverse cholesterol transport process.
The exact metabolism is unclear but studies have shown that other factors like diet, hormone and enzyme activity, body fat, and weight loss all intermingle with physical activity to affect the production, transportation, and disposal of cholesterol from the blood.
Researchers have not yet produced a definitive level of exercise to create an increase in the HDL level of the blood.
But evidences seem to imply that moderate intensity exercise is enough to generate helpful changes in HDL levels.
Most studies also suggest that women with low HDL respond better to exercise.
Related researches also hint that high intensity exercise does not produce better results than moderate intensity exercise.
So to keep your cardiovascular health in prime condition, keeping a regular moderate intensity exercise regimen is recommended.
The link between exercise and cholesterol has already been explained.
Use this information to keep your self away health conditions that could ultimately spell your doom.