| Exercise Can Increase Your HDL Certain obese men can increase their levels of "good" cholesterol through regular extended endurance exercise, a new study has found. The study results are encouraging because men of normal weight and low triglyceride levels (a type of fat associated with heart disease) and low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol may find it difficult to increase their levels of HDL cholesterol. Low HDL levels can increase the chances of heart disease. Investigators studied 200 men who exercised for 50 minutes a day, approximately three times per week. The men were divided into four groups based on triglyceride and HDL levels. All four groups experienced small reductions in body fat during the training period, with the greatest losses seen in men with high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol. Men whose only abnormality was a low HDL level showed no improvement in their HDL levels, the researchers report. However, men with high triglycerides and low HDL showed modest (about 5%) improvements in their HDL levels. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology July 2001;21:1226-1232, 1097-1098
Dr. Mercola's Comment: Clearly, independent of any effect on HDL, it is wise to exercise. It is interesting to find in this study though that the benefit on HDL improvement seemed to be restricted to those men who also had elevated triglycerides. Even though the observed increase in HDL was modest, I have noticed an incredible synergism when exercise is combined with the eating plan. It is common to see many individuals increase thier percentage of good cholesterol by as much as 50%. High triglycerides and a low HDL are a prescription for disaster, as they are strongly associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Individuals with these problems clearly need to have an aggressive cardiovascular exercise program. Ideally they should have a personal trainer who can guide them though the process and keep them accountable. Exercise can be used
as a very effective "drug" and it should be treated
like one, with great care and details spent on providing careful
and specific recommendations to implement a successful program. |