Moderate Exercise May Lower Bad Cholesterol in Women

Whenever we work with corporate clients, one of our top priorities is encouraging employees to move more. Moderate exercise encourages weight loss, improves mood, and improves cardiovascular health over time. It's a key wellness component.

The New York Times reports that "as little as one extra hour a week of moderate physical activity--like taking a brisk walk" has shown to reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in women. This is the first time that exercise and LDL levels have been directly linked by a study.

It's well-known that physical activity can improve heart-healthy HDL--the "good" cholesterol"--but for some women, it appears that regular exercise can perform double duty by reducing LDL as well.

If you're confused by the alphabet soup of cholesterol, don't worry--the American Heart Association can help. Their guide to understanding your cholesterol numbers can be found here. The important message is, get moving! You don't have to be a marathon runner to reap the benefits of exercise.