Can exercise lower blood lipids?
Apr 18, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
If the exercise is aerobic, long-term adherence with appropriate intensity and duration can usually promote gluconeogenesis from fat, enhance fatty acid breakdown, and help lower blood lipids. However, anaerobic exercise helps increase muscle mass and strength, but primarily burns calories without significantly consuming fat or cholesterol, so its effect on lowering blood lipids may be insignificant or even nonexistent.
If exercise refers to aerobic activity, it usually helps lower blood lipids. However, if anaerobic exercise is chosen, it may not have a lipid-lowering effect.
1. Yes
Aerobic exercises such as running, swimming, and cycling, when consistently performed at appropriate intensity and duration, can promote gluconeogenesis from fats and enhance the activity of hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, thereby facilitating fatty acid breakdown and helping reduce blood lipid levels.
2. No
Anaerobic exercises such as weightlifting and push-ups typically help increase muscle mass and strength. However, they mainly burn calories without significantly consuming fat or cholesterol, so their effect on lowering blood lipids may be insignificant or nonexistent.
If abnormal blood lipid levels are detected, it is recommended to promptly visit the endocrinology department of a hospital and receive standardized treatment under medical guidance to improve the condition.
