A lipid panel reports several numbers, and each one means something different. These guides cover LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and what the evidence says about lowering cholesterol through diet and lifestyle before or alongside medication.

Good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol” are phrases most people have heard, but the reasoning behind them and what to actually do about your own numbers is less well understood.

Whether diet alone can meaningfully lower cholesterol is one of the most common questions people ask after seeing a borderline lipid panel.

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Your body needs them for energy, but having too many triglycerides especially when they remain elevated over time—can be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and other metabolic health problems.