Does exercise help cholesterol?


Exercise can help improve cholesterol. Your muscles use triglycerides for energy, so exercise is very helpful for some triglyceride problems. It also can help raise HDL (the “good” cholesterol). Most importantly, exercise helps improve your overall heart and body health.

Another important consideration is how much time your family spends sitting (being sedentary). This includes “screen time”, which is the time spent in front of a screen such as a TV, computer, or video game. The guidelines recommend no screen time for children under 2 years of age, and 2 hours or less a day for all other ages. Don’t be a couch potato! Get moving!

For more advice on activities, see our page of helpful online links: Physical Activity