New Study Finds That Swimming Lowers Cholesterol
As we age and become less physically active, we are more likely to put on weight, lose muscle tone, and gain body fat. Our metabolisms also become less efficient and our glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity suffer. This is why many diseases like diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis are more common in adults over the age of 50.
What can we do to prevent or postpone this decline in health? It turns out that aerobic exercise is one of the most effective methods for maintaining a healthy weight and improving overall cardiovascular health. You can hop on your favorite cardio equipment at the gym, and whether you’re cycling, rowing, running, or climbing, all of the workouts will deliver similar results. However, one exercise option that many of us overlook is swimming. By exercising in the water, you can improve your strength and challenge your cardiovascular system without enduring the impact of traditional exercise, which is especially tough on aging joints.
While walking is by far the most popular form of exercise around the world, sports medicine professionals have recently taken a great interest in identifying the benefits of swimming. A 2010 study conducted by the Cox Research group at the University of Western Australia compared the effects of swimming to those of walking on more than 100 women between the ages of 50 and 70. Participants in the study were assigned either to the walking or swimming group, and were supervised for 3 exercise sessions per week for 6 months. The women were then asked to continue their routines unsupervised for an additional 6 months.
The results of the study may surprise you. Swimmers lost more inches in the waist and hip than walkers, and also lost more weight over the course of the year. Most importantly, the swimmers had lower cholesterol, and better body fat distributions than the participants who limited their workouts to walking. The research group suspects that some of the observed differences are due to the way our body responds to cold water, and is eager to investigate this thermoregulatory response further.
The take home message is that integrating some variety into your workout routine can amplify the benefits. Spice up your exercise regimen with an endurance swim or water aerobics class once a week to stay in control of your cholesterol while burning body fat and improving your overall strength.
Lower Cholesterol with Exercise
There is a way to lower cholesterol. It will take a lot of sacrifice and effort. The best way to lower cholesterol is by exercising. This will increase the heart rate and metabolism in the body allowing it to expel the harmful oils, which are detrimental to one’s health.
Those who have not exercised before should first consult with a physician to find out which is suitable for your situation. Those who have a heart condition may not do something rigorous and will have to rely on something that is low impact such as walking, weight lifting or stretching.
