Why cholesterol is essential for life

Cholesterol gets a lot of bad press and since October is national cholesterol month, it seems like a good time to be talking about it.

The most important thing you need to know is that cholesterol is an essential building block for many hormones including vitamin D, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

You may also be surprised to learn that 80% of the cholesterol in your body is made in the liver and only 20% comes from the food you eat.

Eating a low-fat diet, as well as too much saturated fat can both be detrimental to health.

For good hormonal balance it is best to focus on the type of fat you eat, rather than the amount.

Get most of your fat from extra virgin olive oil, nuts and avocados and make sure you include omega-3 rich oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies, herrings and sardines. These are beneficial for hot flushes, mood swings, skin, joints, energy levels, brain and heart health.

Confused about what to eat? Why not get in touch and book in for a chat - I offer a 30-minute free consultation to explain what I do and how I can help. Download my Ten Top Tips for Mastering Menopause at ritchnutrition.com.

Find out more

Helen Ritchie

Windsor, UK

Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

BA (Hons), DipION, mBANT, CNHC

E: helen@ritchnutrition.com

M: 07884 117768

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Helen Ritchie

Clinical Nutritional Therapist