04 Aug Study Finds Exercise Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels

A recent study conducted out of North Carolina University found that individuals who increase the amount of exercise they get by 180 metabolic units per week, which amounts to about one hour of mild or 30 minutes of moderate exercise, experienced a significant decrease in triglycerides while also experiencing an increase in their “good” HDL cholesterol.

The study, which was conducted over a 12-year period of time, examined more than 8,700 middle-aged men and women. Although both sexes saw a significant amount of benefit from increasing the amount of exercise they got each week, women actually showed a greater amount of improvement to their health than the men who participated in the study. In fact, women were the only ones who saw what is considered to be a “statistically significant” decrease in their “bad’ LDL cholesterol. This was particularly true for African-American women as well as for those women who were menopausal. Furthermore, African-American women were the only ones who saw a “clinically significant” decrease in total cholesterol levels.

Although the researchers are not sure why their appears to be a difference in effects on men versus women, they speculate that hormones play a significant role. This hypothesis appears to be supported by the fact that post-menopausal women enjoyed a more significant affect than other women. The researchers further speculate that the connection to race may be due to genetic variations, but this hypothesis needs to examined further before drawing any conclusions.

No matter how you look at it, the bottom line is clear: getting more exercise is good for you, no matter your race, age or gender, so visit the AtHomeFitness home page and start looking through the workout equipment we have available to help you live a healthier lifestlye.