If lowering cholesterol is important to you, it helps to understand where it comes from in the first place. While some people have a genetic predisposition, or hormonal problems such as an under active thyroid gland, for most people it is a dietary issue.

Lowering cholesterol can be helped by avoiding food high in saturated fats - these are mostly animal products such as meat, chicken, eggs, and full fat dairy. Failure to do so can lead to a gradual build up in the artery walls, narrowing and hardening them and reducing blood flow. This increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.