Phoenix Fitness Hamilton » blood cholesterol levels

The Benefits of Exercising

Murray — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:47:04 +0000

The benefits of physical activity are available to people of all ages – not just to younger people. Participating in vigorous physical activity for a few years when you are young probably contributes little to increased longevity of life expectancy. However, a physically active lifestyle throughout your entire life grants significant health benefits. Some of these benefits include decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease (including strengthening the heart, improving blood cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the risks of becoming diabetic or obese), decreased risk of some forms of cancer, strengthens bones, which decreases the risk of osteoporosis, reduces muscle atrophy, prevents or relieves arthritis, combats fatigue and also improves sleep.

Facts About Fat

Murray — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:00:20 +0000

* Dietary fat yields more than twice the calories per gram (approximately 9 kcal/g) as that yielded by carbohydrates or protein (approximately 4 kcal/g each). *Research has linked high dietary fat intake with heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, gall bladder disease, diabetes, liver disease, cancer of the colon and breast cancer in women. * Most North Americans eat about 35% more fat than is considered healthy. * Reducing saturated fat intake (from animal products) can help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Nutritional Goals

Murray — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:51:05 +0000

Depending on your current dietary profile, the following guideline may be useful to you in pursuing successful health and fitness.

Since high levels of saturated fats (from animal products) raise blood cholesterol levels and are associated with coronary heart disease, they can be dangerous to your health. Therefore, you should decrease saturated fat intake to less than 10% of your total daily calories, while unsaturated fats ( from plants) should comprise 10% to 15% of your total daily calories. Thus, total fat consumption should represent only about 20% to 25% of you total daily caloric intake.