Discover How Food Affects Body Cholesterol

Read below to discover how you food affects cholesterol levels in your body and how long it takes to see affects.

What is Cholesterol?

It is a type of fat.

It comes from two sources – your body and your diet.

Body vs Diet Cholesterol

Made from the Body

Body cholesterol is a waxy substance that is naturally produced by your liver. It is a naturally occurring substance in your body produced by your liver. Your liver makes all the cholesterol that your body needs to function. This means it is not inherently a bad thing. It is located all throughout your body from your microscopic cells to your vital organs such as your brain.

Obtained from the Diet

The cholesterol that comes from your diet can have a positive or a negative effect on your lab levels that you and your healthcare provider discuss during your office visits. There are two classes: HDL and LDL. These types will determine how food affects your lab values.

HDL

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) is the “good” type of. Foods that may help to increase HDL cholesterol include:

• Tuna
• Salmon
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Brown Rice
• Quinoa

LDL

LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) is the “bad” type. Foods that contribute to the increase of LDL cholesterol include:

• Deep fried foods
• Fat from meats
• Processed meats (bacon, cold cuts, sausage)
• Butter
• Full fat dairy products

How Long Does it Take for Food to Affect Body Cholesterol

Research shows that it takes about three to six months for dietary cholesterol to affect your cholesterol levels. That means, there is no magic food that will instantly change your cholesterol levels for the better or worse.

In the End…

It takes time to build up good and bad cholesterol. Your dietary pattern over time, not just for one meal or based on one food decision, will make or break your levels. To learn more about how to maintain a heart healthy diet, check out the Americana Heart Association for meal plans and discover how food affects cholesterol.

DISCLAIMER: I am a medical professional, but I am not apart of your healthcare team. Always consult with your primary care physician or other medical professional of your healthcare team when making changes your your diet or lifestyle.