It seems a moderate level of exercise can ward off an early death, no matter your levels of good or bad cholesterol.

Researchers in Dallas looked at nearly 10 years of data for some 40,000 men and found that the lowest risk of early death was seen among physically fit men with the best lipid ratio. In other words, risk for cardiovascular disease may not be accurately predicted by cholesterol in people that are physically fit.

In a second study involving children in Spain, researchers measured their physical fitness, finding that exercise lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease even in childhood. This was the first study to show that gaining physical fitness can alter risk for cardiovascular disease even for kids.

You can read about the research in Mayo Clinic Proceeding.