Effervescent vitamin company highlights the need for a healthy, balanced diet this National Cholesterol Month

During the last 10 years, however, there has been more emphasis on reducing the number of people with high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) – the bad cholesterol. Despite this, many people are still oblivious to the consequences of consuming foods containing high levels of LDLs and they still veer away from healthy foods.

VÖOST, the tastiest effervescent vitamins to hit UK shores all the way from Australia, is urging the British public to monitor their intake of foods high in saturated or trans fats and use the awareness month to start leading a healthier lifestyle.

Thomas Siebel, Managing Director at VÖOST, said: 'High cholesterol is a huge problem for health professionals. Aptly titled the ‘silent killer,’ it often doesn’t cause sufferers any symptoms on the surface; however, it significantly increases the chances of people developing serious health conditions associated with the heart. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a balanced diet and getting exercise, is paramount for helping to keep cholesterol at a healthy level.'

There are various other factors that can contribute to high cholesterol, such as genes, weight, gender, age, ethnicity and medical history. Having unhealthy cholesterol levels alongside other risk factors for heart and circulatory disease such as smoking or high blood pressure can put people at a heightened risk of early heart disease.

'There are multiple factors when it comes to assessing the causes of high cholesterol,' added Thomas. 'Yet diets high in cholesterol and a lack of exercise are known to be key risk factors. And with time, as diets have become more focused on unhealthy convenience food while lifestyles have become more sedentary, this has had a detrimental effect on our overall health. And, as a result, it’s not surprising that more than half of adults in England have raised cholesterol levels.'

Cholesterol levels can be reduced with the right diet and exercise. Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats, such as omega-3 from oily fish, olive oil and nuts, while cutting down on processed foods and sweet treats that contain high levels of saturated fats can all help to reduce cholesterol levels.

But it’s not just people with high cholesterol who benefit from a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Eating well and regular exercise are vital to everybody’s overall health and well-being.

The NHS recommends that people undertake 150 minutes of physical exercise every week, and even set about the 10,000 steps per day challenge to get the population moving more. Although that may not be achievable for some, making a conscious effort to get off the bus a stop earlier or walking to the shop instead of driving can help to increase activity levels with minimal effort.

Healthy diets are those that consist of foods that meet all of the food groups, including fat and carbohydrates, and all the essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin D and calcium. However, if there are times when individuals are struggling to eat as healthily as they’d like, the effervescent VÖOST range is packed full of the vitamins and minerals designed to support everyday lives and help people find their fizz. VÖOST’s ethos is based around enabling people to live long, healthy, happy lives, and getting the right levels of essential vitamins is a key part of that.

The great-tasting VÖOST vitamins have been designed by a specialist naturopath and contain no added dairy, lactose or yeast, so are ideal for those following specific diets. The range contains a multivitamin designed to meet everyone’s needs day-to-day, as well as a whole host of specialised vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B complex, which includes thiamin (vitamin B1) to help support normal function of the heart, vitamin C which helps support the normal function of the immune system, magnesium, which helps to support normal function of the muscles and nervous system, and calcium+vitamin D, which help maintain healthy bones and teeth.

National Cholesterol Month will take place throughout October. Its aim is to raise the profile of the dangers of high cholesterol and raise funds to help Heart UK continue providing vital life-saving work.