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Can You Affect Your Cholesterol by Fasting?

Your cholesterol is composed mainly of HDL (high-density lipoproteins), LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides. Fasting for 8 to 14 hours affects these levels.

  1. Fasting Cholesterol Panel

    • A fasting cholesterol panel is a blood test your doctor will perform to determine your cholesterol levels. After you've fasted for 8 to 14 hours (usually overnight), your doctor will draw blood from a vein in your arm to determine your LDL, HDL and triglycerides levels.

    Fats

    • Fasting is important before your cholesterol panel because it is necessary for an accurate cholesterol reading. Since a fatty meal can cause your cholesterol level to be elevated, fasting eliminates that complication.

    Carbohydrates

    • Eating a meal high in simple carbohydrates can raise your triglycerides and result in an inaccurate cholesterol panel reading. Fasting for 8 to 14 hours will bring that number down to the level it is normally at in your body.

    Fasting Glucose Level

    • While you're having blood drawn for your fasting cholesterol panel, your doctor may want you to obtain your fasting glucose level as well. This measures the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. Elevated cholesterol levels and elevated glucose levels are together a threat to your cardiovascular health.

    Considerations

    • Even if your cholesterol levels go back down after fasting, as soon as you eat another meal high in saturated fat or simple carbohydrates, your cholesterol can spike again. You will not lower your cholesterol by fasting, only negate the possibility of an inaccurate reading due to a heavy meal.

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