For most people, eggs have only a small effect on blood cholesterol. The cholesterol you eat matters far less than the saturated fat you eat, and eggs are low in saturated fat. What often causes the problem is the company they keep: butter in the pan, bacon, hollandaise and buttered toast. If you have diabetes or familial hypercholesterolaemia, your dietitian may suggest a specific weekly limit.

Blood cholesterol can begin shifting within a few weeks of consistent change, and continues to respond as the changes stick. Your GP decides when to retest, and will usually wait long enough for a fair picture. Book the retest at the same time of day and follow the same fasting instructions as last time, so you are comparing like with like.

Yes. Statins reduce how much cholesterol your liver makes, while diet changes reduce absorption and prompt your liver to clear LDL from your blood. The two work through different pathways, so the effects add up. Diet also improves triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar, which medication for cholesterol does not target. Check with your pharmacist about grapefruit, which interacts with some statins.

LDL carries cholesterol into artery walls, so a lower number is better. HDL carries it back to the liver, so higher is generally protective. Triglycerides are a separate blood fat, driven strongly by alcohol, refined carbohydrates and excess energy intake. Many reports also list non-HDL cholesterol, which is your total minus HDL, and is a useful single figure to track.

They do, but only at the right dose and spread through the day. Research doses sit around two to three grams of plant sterols daily, which usually means using the fortified product across two or three meals rather than once. [CONFIRM: brands and serve sizes stocked locally]. They are not recommended for young children or during pregnancy without advice.

Coconut oil is very high in saturated fat, higher than butter, and it raises LDL cholesterol. Its reputation comes from short-term studies showing it also lifts HDL, which does not offset the LDL effect. For cooking, extra virgin olive oil, canola oil or peanut oil are better choices. Keep coconut cream and oil for occasional use rather than everyday cooking.