It is estimated that just over half of adults in the UK1 currently have cholesterol higher than the levels currently recommended by the government – that’s a total blood cholesterol level (the good and bad cholesterol together) of less than 5mmol/L, or 4mmol/L if you've had a heart attack or stroke.
With high cholesterol being one of the known risk factors for developing heart disease and a risk factor for strokes,2 what can we eat to help reduce it and keep it under control?
Raj Kundhi, senior physiologist, explores what cholesterol is and shares her tips for different foods than can help lower your levels and keep it in check.
What is cholesterol?
You may have come across the term ‘high cholesterol’ or know someone who has it, but cholesterol itself is “a type of blood fat which is made in the liver. It’s found in some foods too. We all need some cholesterol in our bodies just to keep us ticking over, but having too much can clog up your arteries and lead to health problems”.3
British Heart Foundation describe cholesterol as “a natural fatty substance in your blood”4 but there are factors that can increase it which means it then can become a health issue. Eating too much fatty food, lack of exercise, being overweight, as well as smoking or drinking, can all cause high cholesterol.