Do you know your Cholesterol level?
Brits are in a cholesterol awareness crisis. A report by Flora pro.activ revealed today that a staggering 70% of the nation are utterly clueless when it comes to their own cholesterol level, despite 58% of men and 61% of women experiencing raised cholesterol, one of the key causes of heart disease; the nation’s biggest killer.
Our false knowledge spans to phantom causes and symptoms of this serious condition. The research conducted by Flora pro.activ to investigate Brits’ cholesterol knowledge, exposed only a quarter of people in the UK claim to know a lot about cholesterol – compared to 42% in France, 33% in Spain and 30% in the Netherlands.
Topping the poll when it comes to the incorrect symptoms of raised cholesterol was dizziness and headaches, with a worrying 16% of confused Brits stating eating too many eggs could raise their cholesterol [, a theory that has long since been disproved]. One in ten stated erectile dysfunction as a primary symptom of high cholesterol which, although may be experienced after many years of raised cholesterol, is not a key signifier of the condition. Thankfully, there is some hope for clueless Brits, who recognise that Cardiovascular Disease, a narrowing of the arteries and high blood pressure as classic side effects.
Tanya Footman, Senior Nutrition & Health Manager for Flora pro.activ, commented; “It is extremely alarming that our cholesterol awareness and education is so low in this country; particularly considering the relatively high number of people living in the UK with raised cholesterol. The Flora pro.activ website includes information on what to watch for with raised cholesterol as well as ways of helping to reduce your number – helping to debunk those myths and make everyone aware of the lifestyle changes they can make to keep their level in check.”
When it comes to the causes of raised cholesterol, most still wrongly perceive it as a condition of the overweight. Despite heart disease – often caused by raised cholesterol – being the biggest killer of women in the UK, 15% also wrongly assume it’s a man’s condition.
The top five assumed causes of raised cholesterol by Brits are:
- Too much fast food (64%)
- Weight (55%)
- Lifestyle (51%)
- Lack of exercise (50%)
- Smoking (34%)
Too much saturated fat, often found in fast food, is a common cause of raised cholesterol, yet Brits are in the dark when it comes to spotting the symptoms. Worryingly many Brits may be completely oblivious to their condition as one in every 500 people in the UK have high cholesterol because they have an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia – showing that even those with the healthiest of lifestyles may still be at risk.
Despite reporting barriers to making that all important lifestyle change, including not wanting to give up favourite foods, not enjoying exercise or finding it too hard to cut down on alcohol, the research by Flora pro.activ reassuringly found almost all sufferers have taken measures to actively lower their cholesterol upon learning it was raised. Tactics most commonly used by Brits to lower their cholesterol include:
- Taking prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication (62%)
- Cutting down on saturated fat (53%)
- Eating more fruit and vegetables (45%)
- Eating natural foods with a cholesterol-lowering effect (34%)
- Exercising more frequently (26%)
Sinead Stack, Brand Manager at Flora pro.activ, explains: “It is evident that many people are still in the dark when it comes to cholesterol but just making small changes, such as adding Flora.pro activ to your daily routine, can help reduce cholesterol. The Flora pro.activ range contains plant sterols, which are clinically proven to lower cholesterol. Three daily portions of Flora pro.activ spread or milk or just 1 mini drink provide enough plant sterols to actively lower cholesterol, which is a major risk in developing heart disease.”
Flora pro.activ products help to lower cholesterol and hence maintain a healthy heart. For more information on raised cholesterol, top tips on how to combat it and information on the Flora pro.activ range head to www.floraproactiv.co.uk
Tagged in Health Cholesterol