How Long Does It Take To Lower Cholesterol (And Why)?

How Long Does It Take To Lower Cholesterol (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3 months

The nutrients that we get through a balanced diet consist of both macronutrients and micronutrients which are necessary for a healthy human life. Well, Macronutrients are those nutrients that are needed in a larger quantity, that includes Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Nucleic Acids, and Lipids, and micronutrients are those nutrients that are required in a lower quantity which are Water-soluble and Fat-soluble vitamins.

But there is another nutrient that is like an exception because though it exhibits all the characteristics for being a macronutrient but doesn’t follow one main character that is the molecular weight because of which its position in any of these two categories is a bit of confusion and the molecule is Lipid. And cholesterol is a blood fat that is called a Lipid.

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How Long Does It Take To Lower Cholesterol?

Cholesterol can be acquired through main two sources one is through diet and the other is through the liver cells of the Human body. Some functions are carried out by cholesterol that needs to be circulated in the body. So, cholesterol and other fats together called lipoproteins that are needed to be carried throughout the body.

Low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and High-density lipoprotein(HDL) are the two main lipoproteins. When it comes to high cholesterol levels in one is recommended to take a Lipid profile test and this includes checking levels of those substances that contribute to higher cholesterol are LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, Non-HDL-C, TG to HDL ratio. When the normal levels of these substances are exceeded that results in having higher Cholesterol and needing to take medications and other necessary tips from a Doctor. While there is no certainty that one can lower one’s cholesterol in a certain period but taking medications and some changes in diet can reduce or lower cholesterol in 3 months.

As many sources say that lifestyle changes would lower cholesterol levels.

Following sourcesHow long does it take to lower cholesterol
Dietary changes along with medications6-8 weeks
Lifestyle changes along with medications and a proper diet3 months

Why Does It Take So Long To Lower Cholesterol?

There could be many reasons because it depends on how the patients are taking care of themselves by following proper diet and medications. Statins are the basic medications recommended to patients with higher levels of cholesterol and also help in lowering blood pressure and one can see quicker results. But for lasting changes, Doctors are recommending getting some change in their lifestyle like exercising which is also one of the natural ways to get rid of cholesterol.

One can see the results of one’s lipid profile test in which low levels of LDL, triglycerides are the main that contribute to increased levels of cholesterol and high levels of HDL. The risk factors are also very low when one is taking statins because these mainly help in lowering LDL by inhibiting the liver cells to produce LDL so when hepatocytes(liver cells) are not making much cholesterol then the cholesterol can be removed from the body. Statins block an enzyme called 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CIA (HMG CoA) Reductase that helps in stopping the process of producing cholesterol that is LDL which is bad fat and even triglycerides at the same time increase the production of HDL.

Lipid profile test consists of referred ranges like LDL having a range of <150 mg/dl, HDL having a range between 40-60 mg/dl, and triglycerides having a range of 30-150 mg/dl. One can analyze their cholesterol levels through this lipid profile test.

Conclusion

Having high levels of cholesterol leads to various health risk factors which include Heart blockage, Heart attacks, and Atherosclerosis. So, one needs to take care of their eating habits and nowadays Doctors recommend increasing intake of plant foods because these are the substances that contain no saturated fats or neglected levels of cholesterol and are rich in other nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and fibers.

One must get strictly adhered to their diet to need to see effective results.

References:

  1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2006.10719513
  2. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/289/5484/1446.summary

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