Today is another day in these free series of “WALK WITH ME” and the topic of today is how walking lowers cholesterol.
During these challenging times of the Corona-virus threat I would like to invite you to go on a daily walk with me to stay healthy and positive. If you are still allowed to go outside then do so! If not you can walk with me on a treadmill of in place in front of your TV watching your favourite show. If you have a stationary bike that is fine also. As long as I can get you moving.
As long as necessary I will keep encouraging you to walk with me cause walking has sooo many benefits. Everyday I will motivate you by sharing one of these benefits to inspire you to walk with me. Follow me on facebook @takeyoutimeblog and instagram @takeyoutimeblog (or click the icons above) and let me help you to stay healthy, fit and positive during times of Corona. NOTE: I have decided last week that I am not going to mention the number of days I have been encouraging you throughout these quarantaine times. I will keep on posting but in order to stay positive I do not want to count days with you.
According to Mayo Clinic high cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Cholesterol is one of the fatty substances that circulates in our blood. If we have too much of it, it sticks to the inside walls of our arteries, clogging and narrowing them and thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. But this is not the entire picture as there are other factors that play a role. One of these is the type of protein that transports the cholesterol through the body. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the one that is more likely to cause problems. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol protects the body from cholesterol build-up
Another way to put it:
- HDL or good cholesterol makes you less likely to have heart problems or a stroke
- LDL or bad cholesterol makes you more likely to have heart problems or a stroke
Taking prescription medication is one solution to battle this but taking a step towards a healthier lifestyle will also improve your cholesterol and your overall health for the better, this includes: a healthy diet, exercise, no smoking and little alcohol. If you are already on medication, then going for a daily walk will even improve their effect and might help to one day stop medication at all (always discuss this with your GP/doctor).
Walking can help to lower cholesterol levels. This form of moderate physical activity can help raise HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which is often referred to as the “good” cholesterol. (see full report on this in “Lipids in Health and Disease”). Physically active women had remarkably higher levels of HDL cholesterol than sedentary women. Another study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology found similar results.
Studies even showed that exercise may even change the nature of our cholesterol. In a study performed in 2002, researchers from Duke University Medical Center concluded that exercise improved the number and size of the particles carrying cholesterol through the body. Those who exercised more had larger, “fluffier” particles that were less likely to clog arteries. Exercise can help you lower cholesterol numbers even if you’re overweight. In the Journal of Obesity, researchers reported that overweight and obese adults who walked, jogged, and cycled while eating a cholesterol-lowering diet improved total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Motivation enough to go out for a brisk walk? Try to get at least 30 minutes brisk walking every day of the week and work your way up to 1 hour of walking per day.
Big (virtual) hug and stay home, stay safe, save lives!
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