How long diet affect cholesterol

People hoping to naturally reduce their cholesterol can steadily lower their cholesterol with a number of healthy lifestyle changes. This article looks at what cholesterol is, how it affects health, how long it takes to reduce cholesterol, normal and high cholesterol levels, and the best ways to lower cholesterol. The liver naturally produces cholesterol, which is a fatty substance that helps the body make hormones and digest fatty foods.

There is also cholesterol in animal-based foods , such as eggs and meat. The body does not need cholesterol from food, and can naturally manufacture the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol drops over time, not suddenly, after a few days of healthier living. There is no set period in which cholesterol is guaranteed to drop. Cholesterol-lowering drugs usually produce a change in LDL within 6 to 8 weeks. It is possible for lifestyle changes to change cholesterol levels within weeks.

However, it may take longer, usually about 3 months — sometimes more. Some doctors recommend adding a cholesterol-lowering drug if a person has not lowered their LDL cholesterol after about 12 weeks of lifestyle changes. For most people, healthy cholesterol levels are as follows :. According to an article in the journal Circulation , the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association AHA recommend using statins to lower cholesterol in people with cholesterol higher outside of these levels.

There are a number of habit changes a person can incorporate into their daily routines in order to gradually and consistently lower their LDL levels over time.

However, a number of studies have found that the cholesterol a person gets from food does not substantially increase blood cholesterol. Instead, what matters is eating a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients.

Disclosure s : The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. Healio News Endocrinology Cardiometabolic Disorders. Source: Chen HJ, et al. Read next. January 17, Receive an email when new articles are posted on. Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on.

You've successfully added to your alerts. Read more about getting more active and achieving your recommended activity levels. If your doctor has told you that you have high cholesterol and you can lower it by changing your diet, there's no need to buy special products to lower your cholesterol.

These products are not recommended by doctors and are no substitute for a healthy, balanced diet. There are foods specially designed to lower your cholesterol, such as certain dairy spreads and yoghurts containing added ingredients called plant sterols and stanols. There's some evidence these ingredients may help reduce the cholesterol in your blood, but there's no evidence they also reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

These products are designed for people who already have high cholesterol, but it's not essential to eat plant sterols or stanols to help manage your cholesterol.

There may be other, simpler and less expensive changes you can make, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and being more physically active. There are some groups of people these products are not suitable for, including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you do eat foods designed to lower your cholesterol, read the label carefully. These foods need to be eaten every day and in the right amount, as having too much could be harmful.

They're usually offered to people who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or another cardiovascular disease, or whose personal or family medical history suggests they're likely to develop it during the next 10 years. For most other people, the first way to tackle high cholesterol is by making changes to your diet and getting more active. People who need statins can be prescribed them, and your GP can also advise you on healthy lifestyle changes.

Some pharmacies sell low-dose statins, which you can buy without a prescription, but they're no substitute for lowering your cholesterol by eating a healthy, balanced diet and being active. Speak to your pharmacist if you're considering over-the-counter statins.

If you have high cholesterol and need statins, your GP will prescribe them and monitor how well they're working. Page last reviewed: 17 July Next review due: 17 July Lower your cholesterol - Healthy body Secondary navigation Body Bones Food for healthy bones Keep bones healthy over 65 Are you at risk of falling?

Foot problems and the podiatrist Looking after your feet with diabetes How to stop smelly feet. People with xanthomas may have high cholesterol levels. Fact: It can be complicated. We know that foods with a lot of cholesterol usually also have a lot of saturated fat.

Foods made from animals, including red meat, butter, and cheese, have a lot of saturated fats. Instead, aim to eat foods with plenty of fiber, such as oatmeal and beans, and healthy unsaturated fats, such as avocados, olive oil, and nuts. Talk with your health care provider about ways to manage your cholesterol.

Learn more about medicines to lower cholesterol. Fact: You can do many things to improve your cholesterol levels and keep them in a healthy range! Fact: Although many people can achieve good cholesterol levels by making healthy food choices and getting enough physical activity, some people may also need medicines called statins to lower their cholesterol levels. Guidelines external icon also suggest that other medicines in addition to statins may be needed to help control cholesterol.

People who may need statins or other medicines to manage cholesterol levels include the following:.