New research on cholesterol
Just because you don't suffer from high cholesterol now, doesn't mean you can ignore the risk of heart disease. Researchers at Boston University say twice as many people are at risk of developing unhealthy cholesterol levels in their lifetime than was previously thought.
Excess cholesterol builds up in the blood vessels and can affect heart health. Experts say this process can begin when we are as young as two!
Lifetime risk
Current statistics show that fewer than two in ten people have high LDL ('bad') cholesterol at levels which require drug treatment. However, just as important is your 'lifetime risk'– the chance of developing unhealthy cholesterol levels at some point in your life.
When the Boston study looked at people over a 30-year period, they found four in ten people developed LDL cholesterol at high enough levels to require drug treatment. That's double previous statistics.
The study also found that, although men develop high cholesterol at a younger age compared to women, there are steep increases in LDL cholesterol in women between the ages of 40 and 60. As a result, women's overall lifetime risk of high cholesterol is the same men's.
What can we do?
By switching from foods high in saturated fat, such as butter and cheese, to foods rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, everyone can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease.
Daily heart care
You could also try the Becel/Flora pro·activ range. One pro·activ mini yogurt drink consumed daily, contains enough plant sterols to lower cholesterol levels.
