You may also be able to take supplements to help you. Lifestyle changes can often help lower your cholesterol, though some people will take medicine for high cholesterol. There do not tend to be any symptoms, though when there is a blockage you may notice signs.
The Mayo Clinic says: “If you’re worried about your cholesterol level and have started exercising and eating healthier foods, you might wonder if a dietary supplement could help.”
You should check with your doctor, says the site, if you are considering adopting supplements into your diet.
Berberine may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, according to the site.
Nonetheless, it “may cause diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea or vomiting; may cause harm to babies during pregnancy and breastfeeding.”
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The health site says that fish oil may reduce triglycerides, though it notes that this “mause a fishy aftertaste, bad breath, gas, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; may interact with some blood-thinning medications.”
The Mayo Clinic adds that green tea extract may lower LDL cholesterol.
It states that this “may cause nausea, vomiting, gas or diarrhea; may interact with blood-thinning medications”
“Your GP might suggest having a test if they think your cholesterol level could be high,” Heart UK adds.
It says you should aim to do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, and smoking can raise your cholesterol – making you more likely to have serious problems like heart attacks, strokes and cancer.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) says: “If your cholesterol is very high and if lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor might suggest controlling it with medication.” Statins are the main type of medicine used to reduce cholesterol.
The NHS states: “Like all medicines, statins can cause side effects. But most people tolerate them well and do not have any problems.
“You should discuss the benefits and risks of taking statins with your doctor before you start taking the medicine.”
To stave off the risks posed by high cholesterol, it is vital that you intervene early in its development.
You should try to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week, and avoid binge drinking. You can ask your GP for help if you are struggling to cut down.
There are two main types of fat, which are saturated and unsaturated. Eating too many foods high in saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood.
The NHS says most people in the UK eat too much saturated fat.