Martine McCutcheon shares two 'golden rules' she follows to keep cholesterol at bay

Martine McCutcheon, 45, famed for her roles in Love Actually and Celebrity Gogglebox, has divulged her personal hacks for reducing cholesterol. Emphasising the significance of regular checks and advocating a message of self-compassion, the actress implores readers to "be kind to yourself". The ex-Eastenders icon and pop sensation Martine spoke about her family's battle with high cholesterol and stressed the value of keeping tabs on your levels.

Martine reveals the pair of simple strategies she relies on to maintain her own cholesterol in check. Martine collaborated with Flora ProActiv, who's recently conducted research unveiled that an astonishing third of UK residents have not once checked their cholesterol. According to the study, one in five individuals are aware of having elevated cholesterol, yet half are clueless about how to reduce it, reports the Express .



A post shared by Martine McCutcheon (@martinemccutcheon), shared: "I was shocked to learn in new research for National Cholesterol Month that a third of Brits have never had a cholesterol test. I remember when I found out my family had a history of raised cholesterol - my nan ended up having an operation on her heart because of the complications it caused." Highlighting the necessity of early detection, she advises: "I think it's really important for people to get tested so they can manage their cholesterol before it creates bigger health concerns further down the line.

I know some people are worried about getting tested or finding out what their levels are, but it's key that you know so you can take steps to manage it." High cholesterol is incredibly dangerous, so much so it is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer". This is because high cholesterol has no symptoms, so unless you have your cholesterol levels tested, you may not know if your cholesterol is creeping up.

In the most tragic circumstances, people may only learn they have high cholesterol in the event of a serious cardiac event, such as a heart attack or a stroke. The British Heart Foundation says high cholesterol is linked to a quarter of all deaths from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK. To reduce your risk of cholesterol-related complications, it is vital you have your cholesterol levels checked often.

Martine said: "I was shocked to learn in new research for National Cholesterol Month that a third of Brits have never had a cholesterol test. "If you do have raised cholesterol, or you have family history of raised cholesterol like I do, it's beneficial for your health to find out early, and then learn how to help manage it with healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Taking these steps early on can mean you avoid more serious health conditions in later life.

" Knowing her family history of high cholesterol, Martine swears by two golden rules to keep her cholesterol levels healthy. She advises: "My main tip for helping people to lower their cholesterol would be, avoid saturated fats. "If you can have a balanced diet with good fats and low in saturated fats you'll really help yourself out in the long run.

I've been using Flora ProActiv spreads which contain added plant sterols which are clinically proven to lower cholesterol." Plant sterols and stanols are known to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, thus lowering 'bad' cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Opting for a plant-based spread such as Flora ProActiv is an excellent initial move to decrease your cholesterol levels.

Martine also advocates for daily walks, adding: "Try and get a 30-minute walk into your day. It's a bit of a cliché to say it but I suppose it's a cliché because it is so true. "It will really help with your mental and physical health.

Final tip: be kind to yourself, if you miss a day or fancy a treat don't berate yourself after, just remember to get back on the wagon tomorrow!". For those interested in learning more about cholesterol management, Flora ProActiv offers a free-to-download guide here ..