Fitness
5 exercises that help lower cholesterol levels naturally – Times of India
The most simple and effective way is walking
Foods That Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
One of the easiest and most accessible exercises to lower cholesterol is walking. Studies show that walking at a medium pace for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week can significantly lower LDL cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Research published in the journal “Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology” suggests that walking can help reduce bad cholesterol by up to 7%. So, lace up your sneakers and take a stroll in your neighbourhood or a nearby park.
How does pedalling help?
Cycling is another effective exercise for lowering cholesterol levels. Whether on a stationary bike or riding through the streets, cycling helps increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol. A study conducted by the “Journal of the American Heart Association” found that adults who cycled regularly experienced a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels and improved overall cardiovascular health. Aim for 30 minutes of cycling, three to five times a week, to see benefits.
No Gym Needed: Try This Effective Home Workout To Get Fit Quickly
Jogging
Jogging is a fantastic way to boost heart health and reduce cholesterol levels. It helps burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and increase HDL cholesterol. According to a study in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology,” regular jogging can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Add jogging into your routine for 20-30 minutes, three to four times a week, for optimal results.
Yoga
Yoga might not be the first exercise that comes to mind when thinking about lowering cholesterol, but it can be incredibly effective. Yoga helps reduce stress, which is linked to higher cholesterol levels. Research from the “Indian Heart Journal” found that practising yoga regularly can help reduce LDL cholesterol and improve heart health. Try to include yoga sessions for 30 minutes, three times a week, focusing on poses that enhance cardiovascular health.
Build muscle, burn cholesterol
Strength training is essential for overall health and can help lower cholesterol levels by improving body composition and increasing metabolism. A study published in “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise” found that resistance training helped lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol in adults. Add strength training exercises, such as weight lifting or bodyweight exercises, at least twice a week for the best results.
Fitness
Even Adding a Few Extra Minutes of Exercise Daily Lowers Blood Pressure
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Small additional amounts of exercise each day are associated with lower blood pressure (BP) in a free-living setting, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in Circulation.
Joanna M. Blodgett, Ph.D., from University College London, and colleagues investigated associations between a 24-hour behavior composition composed of six parts (sleeping, sedentary behavior, standing, slow walking, fast walking, and combined exercise-like activity [e.g., running and cycling]) and systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). The analysis included data from 14,761 participants in six cohorts of the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep consortium.
The researchers found that the average 24-hour composition consisted of sleeping (7.13 hours), sedentary behavior (10.7 hours), standing (3.2 hours), slow walking (1.6 hours), fast walking (1.1 hours), and exercise-like activity (16.0 minutes). Compared with other behaviors, more time spent exercising or sleeping was associated with lower BP. There were estimated reductions of –0.68 mm Hg SBP and –0.54 mm Hg DBP with an additional five minutes of exercise-like activity. Reallocating 20 to 27 minutes and 10 to 15 minutes of time in other behaviors into additional exercise was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in SBP and DBP, respectively. More time spent being sedentary was adversely associated with SBP and DBP, but there was minimal impact of standing or walking.
“If you want to change your blood pressure, putting more demand on the cardiovascular system through exercise will have the greatest effect,” Blodgett said in a statement.
One author holds equity in a company for products and services related to the study.
Abstract/Full Text
Fitness
NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Refutes Health Concerns Amid ISS Mission
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has recently addressed speculations surrounding her health condition while on the International Space Station (ISS), discarding recent claims made by media outlets regarding her wellbeing. In response to reports that suggested she appeared “gaunt” due to an extended stay on the ISS, Williams clarified her status during a video interview on November 12, explaining that her weight has remained unchanged since her arrival in orbit.
Routine Exercise and Physical Adaptations
Williams, who commands Expedition 72 aboard the ISS, responded to health concerns publicly, indicating that any changes in her physical appearance are the result of rigorous exercise routines rather than health deterioration. Like all astronauts on extended missions, she has been following an intense workout regimen designed to counteract the muscle and bone density loss commonly associated with prolonged microgravity exposure. Williams stated that her routine includes running on a treadmill, riding an exercise bike and lifting weights. It is a form of exercise that has led to increased muscle mass, particularly in her thighs and glutes, while her overall weight remains consistent.
NASA’s Statement on Crew Health
NASA had previously denied the reports, emphasising that Williams and her fellow crew members, including NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, are in good health. Williams and Wilmore, who arrived at the ISS on June 6 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, were initially scheduled for a ten-day mission under the Crew Flight Test programme. Technical issues with Starliner’s thrusters led NASA to extend their stay on the ISS until early 2025, when they are expected to return with SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission astronauts.
Current ISS Crew Status
The current ISS team, led by Williams, includes three NASA astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts, all working collaboratively despite recent media scrutiny. Williams assured viewers that her health and morale remain robust as the crew carries out essential research and maintenance tasks on the orbiting laboratory showing NASA’s confidence in their well-being during extended missions.
Fitness
Vigorous Activity Can Compensate for Prolonged Sitting Time
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2024 (HealthDay News) — An age-equivalent benefit is found for vigorous exercise, after considering sitting time, according to a study recently published in PLOS ONE.
Ryan Bruellman, from the University of California Riverside, and colleagues analyzed data from the Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan behavioral development and cognitive aging in adults aged 28 to 49 years to examine how activity intensity and sitting behavior influence health. The trade-off between sitting and physical activity was explored leveraging the co-twin control approach.
The researchers found that the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL) and body mass index (BMI) demonstrated increasing age trends, with an inverse association seen for prolonged sitting and vigorous activity. An age-equivalent benefit of vigorous exercise was found after considering sitting time, with expected TC/HDL and BMI estimates of those performing 30 minutes daily mirroring those of sedentary individuals five and 10 years younger, respectively. Partial exposure effects for TC/HDL were suggested in a co-twin control analysis, indicating that sitting health effects may be countered by greater vigorous activity, but with diminishing returns.
“Our results challenge recommended physical activity and we suggest guidelines need to be adjusted to account for sitting time throughout the day,” the authors write. “Sitting less, healthier eating, and focusing on increasing the amount of vigorous activity need to be clear messaging points to the public to provide a succinct and impactful change to sedentary habits.”
Abstract/Full Text
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