The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7454 p636
2 June 2007

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Two hours of exercise a week can increase HDL cholesterol

Regular aerobic exercise modestly increases levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, say Japanese researchers who conducted a meta-analysis of 25 randomised controlled trials.

They found that the minimum amount of weekly exercise required to change HDL levels was 120 minutes or 900kcal burned. The effects were greatest among those with a higher total cholesterol level and in those with a body mass index lower than 28.

The researchers observed that the strongest predictor of an increase in HDL levels was exercise duration. Frequency or intensity of exercise was not associated with a change in HDL cholesterol (Archives of Internal Medicine 2007;167:999).