Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for many metabolic processes. There are two types of cholesterol. HDL is the 'good' cholesterol and LDL is the 'bad' cholesterol. High cholesterol is a 'lifestyle' disease that's directly attributable to diets high in animal fats and/or trans fats.

What is the best spread for your toast in the morning?

August 14, 2017 By Juhi Bhambhaney

People often ask what is the best thing to put on to their toast in the morning for breakfast. There is a constant debate on whether butter is better as it is more natural or margarine is better due to its lower saturated fat content. At the end of the day it is up to you to decide what suits you best. A small spread of butter a day will not increase your cholesterol levels or affect your weight in a big way. Bad cholesterol Increased … [Read more...]

Eggs and dietary cholesterol

May 11, 2016 By Belinda Elwin

Should I avoid eggs because of their cholesterol content? It’s a question I get asked a lot: "Should I avoid eggs because of their cholesterol content?" or: "How many eggs can I safely have in a week?". It was once thought that eggs, because they contain some cholesterol, would negatively impact cholesterol levels and that they should be limited or avoided. Unfortunately this is quite an outdated opinion that has managed to stick in people’s … [Read more...]

The Secrets to a Longer Life Revealed

May 29, 2015 By @entwellbeing

Human’s fascination with centenarians and longevity is almost inevitable to get away from. From myths to real life tales, we all want to live longer, feel good and look younger while we are doing it- a feat that is achieved by very few. So there must be a secret, right? Though the idea of a secret to longevity might seem fantastical, Swedish researchers have examined the traits and behaviours that are correlated with reaching 100 years of age. … [Read more...]

How Plant Sterols Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally

January 20, 2015 By @entwellbeing

In Australia, 51% of adults have high blood cholesterol – that’s 6.4 million adults. Research shows that if you lower your blood cholesterol levels you will lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. If you’re looking for help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, there is a natural solution to be found in plant sterols. Eating sterol and stanol-containing foods is an easy way to lower your LDL cholesterol, which may helps reduce the risk of … [Read more...]

Eating and Exercising for Your Heart

October 3, 2014 By @entwellbeing

Everyone knows that a healthy diet and active lifestyle are imperative for heart health. People who eat lean meats and a lot of fruits and vegetables have lower cholesterol levels than people who eat a lot of processed, fatty foods. People who go for a walk, run, or bicycle ride after work have lower resting heart rates than people who come home and turn on the TV. Everyone wants to look and feel their best. It’s just not possible to do that if … [Read more...]

The Benefits of Chia Seed in the Diet

September 24, 2014 By @entwellbeing

Cha-cha-cha-chia! If you have ever been victim to late night television's bizarre commercials it is likely that you know the little song written for the line of products called "Chia Pets". These are clay forms that special packets of seeds are applied to and which then sprout funny clumps of chia hair. This makes many people wonder just what chia is in the first place, and we're here to tell you that it is not just the silly "hair" to grow on … [Read more...]

Woolworths health checks: Pharmacists concerned over moves to allow check-ups in supermarkets

July 16, 2014 By @entwellbeing

By national medical reporter Sophie Scott The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has labelled a push by retail giant Woolworths to conduct in-store health checks as an attempt to "hoodwink" shoppers. Woolworths has confirmed it is hiring final year pharmacy students, graduating pharmacists and nurses to conduct health checks such as blood pressure and cholesterol in their stores. A spokesman for Woolworths said six stores in New South Wales and … [Read more...]

Oats for Winter

May 7, 2014 By Belinda Elwin

Benefits of Oats in Winter As it is approaching winter and the weather is certainly getting colder, it is the perfect time to start experimenting with oats! I hear many people say that they can only eat oats in winter but don’t forget that they can be eaten cold as well in the form of bircher muesli. Oats have many health benefits and make for an ideal breakfast when accompanied with ingredients from the other food groups. Let’s take a … [Read more...]

The Best Type Of Cooking Oil – A Dietitian’s Perspective

September 11, 2013 By Belinda Elwin

The best type of cooking oil There are many different types of oil but which ones are the best? The answer isn’t as straight forward as naming one type of oil that is healthier than the rest - although olive oil appears to be one of the most popular choices for the “best” oil. It comes down to the way in which the oil is going to be used. The pros and cons of three of the most commonly discussed oils are outlined below, along with oils to … [Read more...]

Cholesterol in Eggs

July 11, 2013 By Rhiannon Welsh

“Are eggs healthy for us? Can we eat the egg yolk even though it has been reported that the cholesterol in eggs is high?” As a dietitian this is one of the most common questions that I get asked on a regular basis. To start with it is always helpful to remember what cholesterol is. Cholesterol in eggs - what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance that is needed by the body for many metabolic processes, including the production … [Read more...]