How can physical exercise scientifically regulate blood lipids? Research reveals its key mechanisms and principles.

Regular physical exercise is recommended: Life lies in movement. Exercise not only treats diseases but also promotes the recovery of various organ functions, playing a vital role in clinical medicine.

Through research, domestic and international medical experts unanimously agree that moderately increasing physical exercise is the most effective and fundamental measure for preventing and treating hyperlipidemia. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have shown that exercise can lower serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) that contribute to atherosclerosis; on the other hand, it can increase the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which has anti-atherosclerotic properties, thus helping to prevent the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Exercise can increase the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which helps accelerate the transport, breakdown, and excretion of lipids; exercise and physical activity can significantly increase calorie consumption, which is beneficial for preventing hyperlipidemia and obesity.

Epidemiological studies have found that people engaged in sports or heavy physical labor have lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels than their peers engaged in general physical or mental labor, while their high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are higher. Therefore, long-term, regular exercise has a regulatory effect on blood lipids.

Studies indicate that exercise alone cannot control or reduce the weight of obese individuals, as this involves the amount of exercise. Only when exercise reaches a certain intensity can it have a beneficial effect on serum lipids, thereby reducing or controlling the weight of obese individuals. Mild, short-duration exercise cannot achieve the therapeutic goal of lowering blood lipids (or reducing lipoprotein) in patients with hyperlipidemia, low HDL cholesterol, or obesity. To achieve better lipid-lowering effects, exercise for hyperlipidemia should adhere to the following points:

(1) Exercise should be gradual and consistent, and should never be intermittent or rushed, lest it exceed one's adaptability, increase the burden on the heart, and fail to lower blood lipids. (2) For elderly individuals with hyperlipidemia (hyperlipoproteinemia), in addition to low-intensity aerobic activities such as walking, therapeutic walking, jogging, climbing stairs, hiking, rope skipping, and playing table tennis, they can also engage in strenuous housework to achieve a certain level of energy expenditure, which can also play a role in preventing and treating hyperlipidemia.

(3) Generally, whole-body aerobic exercises can be adopted, such as walking (medical walking), jogging (sprinting or long-distance running), dancing, rope skipping, climbing stairs, hiking, swimming, cycling, playing table tennis, tennis, badminton, gateball, bowling, and other ball sports. These can be selected appropriately according to individual circumstances.

(4) For individuals with mild hypertension, diabetes, and asymptomatic coronary heart disease, appropriate physical exercise can be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. For individuals with acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, severe ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, severe hypertension, severe diabetes, or hyperlipidemia with liver or kidney dysfunction, physical exercise should be prohibited. For most patients with hyperlipidemia, exercise can help prevent atherosclerosis because it increases the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the body. The amount of exercise should be gradually increased and maintained consistently.

(5) A comprehensive physical examination must be performed before engaging in physical exercise to prevent potential complications and to determine the appropriate amount of exercise. The amount of exercise for each hyperlipidemia patient should be such that it does not cause subjective symptoms such as palpitations or difficulty breathing; this is very important.