Exercise effects on lipids in persons with varying dietary patterns—does diet matter if they exercise? Responses in Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention through Defined Exercise I

Abstract

Background The standard clinical approach for reducing cardiovascular disease risk due to dyslipidemia is to prescribe changes in diet and physical activity. The purpose of the current study was to determine if, across a range of dietary patterns, there were variable lipoprotein responses to an aerobic exercise training intervention. Methods Subjects were participants in the Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention through Defined Exercise (STRRIDE I), a supervised exercise program in sedentary, overweight subjects randomized to 6 months of inactivity or one of 3 aerobic exercise programs. To characterize diet patterns observed during the study, we calculated a modified z-score that included intakes of total fat, saturated fat, trans fatty acids, cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber as compared to the 2006 AHA diet recommendations. Linear models were used to evaluate relationships between diet patterns and exercise effects on lipoproteins/lipids. Results Independent of diet, exercise had beneficial effects on LDL-cholesterol particle number, LDL-cholesterol size, HDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol size, and triglycerides (P<0.05 for all). However, having a diet pattern that closely adhered to AHA recommendations was not related to changes in these or any other serum lipids or lipoproteins in any of the exercise groups. Conclusions We found that even in sedentary individuals whose habitual diets vary in the extent of adherence to AHA dietary recommendations, a rigorous, supervised exercise intervention can achieve significant beneficial lipid effects.

The Role of Advanced Lipid Testing in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease

“…[ 14 ] In this study, obese participants were randomized to an aerobic exercise program or inactivity for 6 months. There were a total of 204 participants in which all nutrition and lipid parameters were available.…”

Treadmill Exercise Training Modulates Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism and Circulating PCSK9 Concentration in High-Fat-Fed Mice

“…Beyond LDL-C lowering, lipoprotein-profiling studies also suggest that high-intensity exercise training may modulate LDL particle number and size distribution patterns [7, 8]. Using a kinetic tracer approach, Ficker et al recently shed light on the potential mechanism of LDL-C lowering in response to exercise training.…”

ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias

“…Physical activity should be encouraged, with a goal of regular physical exercise for at least 30 min/day every day. 169 …”

“…147,148 Even smaller is the reduction of LDL-C levels induced by regular physical exercise. 150,169 However, the beneficial effects of weight reduction and physical exercise on the CV risk profile go beyond LDL-C reduction and involve not only other lipoprotein classes but also other risk factors. In Table 13, lifestyle interventions to lower TC and LDL-C are summarized.…”

“…Regular physical exercise reduces plasma TG levels over and above the effect of weight reduction. 150,169,176 Alcohol intake has a major impact on TG levels. While in individuals with HTG even a small amount of alcohol can induce a further elevation of TG concentrations, in the general population alcohol exerts detrimental effects on TG levels only if the intake is excessive.…”