High LDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Diet can make a meaningful difference — alongside activity, not smoking and, where needed, medication.

Changes that help

1. Swap saturated fat for unsaturated fat: olive or rapeseed oil instead of butter; nuts instead of biscuits; lean meat or pulses instead of processed meat.
2. Eat more soluble fibre: oats and barley (beta-glucan), beans, lentils, apples and citrus fruit.
3. Include nuts: a small handful (around 30g) of unsalted nuts most days.
4. Soya foods: tofu, edamame and soya milk can help as part of a balanced diet.
5. Foods with added plant sterols/stanols can lower LDL for people with high cholesterol, but aren't recommended for everyone — check the label guidance.

What about eggs?

For most people, the cholesterol in food has a smaller effect on blood cholesterol than saturated fat. Eggs can be part of a healthy diet for most people.

Weight and activity

Losing excess weight and staying active both improve cholesterol levels.

See your GP

Some people have inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolaemia) that diet alone can't fix. Adults aged 40–74 in England are offered an NHS Health Check that includes a cholesterol test.