Martine McCutcheon's two golden rules to lower your cholesterol (2025)

The actress and singer has opened up about her family's experience with high cholesterol, and is sharing the two simple tips she follows to keep her cholesterol levels healthy

Martine McCutcheon, the 45-year-old star of Love Actually and Celebrity Gogglebox, has opened up about her personal experience with cholesterol and shared her top tips for maintaining healthy levels. The actress and singer, who has a family history of raised cholesterol, has teamed up with Flora ProActiv to raise awareness about the importance of regular testing and management.

Martine's motivation for speaking out about cholesterol stems from her own family's experiences, including her nan's heart operation due to complications from high cholesterol. She emphasises the importance of getting tested, saying: "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."

According to new research from Flora ProActiv, a staggering one-third of the British population has never had their cholesterol checked, and among those who have been told they have high cholesterol, half are unsure of how to lower their levels. Martine is sharing her two simple tips for keeping her cholesterol healthy, and is encouraging others to take control of their own heart health.

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." She highlights the need for self-care, reminding readers to "be kind to yourself" while managing their cholesterol levels, reports the Express.

With her platform, Martine hopes to raise awareness about the importance of cholesterol management and encourage others to prioritise their heart health. Martine McCutcheon has taken to social media to raise awareness about the dangers of high cholesterol, often referred to as the "silent killer" due to its symptomless nature.

She emphasised the importance of testing, saying: "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 a significant health risk, and without testing, many individuals remain unaware of their condition until a severe cardiac event occurs.

The British Heart Foundation highlights that high cholesterol contributes to a quarter of all UK deaths from heart and circulatory diseases. Martine revealed: "I was shocked to learn in new research for National Cholesterol Month that a third of Brits have never had a cholesterol test."

She advocates for early detection, especially for those with a family history like hers, to manage the condition through diet and lifestyle changes, potentially preventing more severe health issues later on.

With a personal connection to the issue, Martine follows two main principles to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and encourages others to do the same. 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."

To cut down on 'bad' cholesterol levels in your blood, indulging in products rich in plant sterols and stanols can be beneficial, as they hinder the absorption of cholesterol by the gut. Making simple swaps like replacing butter with a plant-based alternative such as Flora ProActiv can be an effective first measure in reducing cholesterol levels.

Martine is an advocate for daily exercise, especially walking, 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."

She believes that regular walks not only boost mental wellness but also support physical health. She concluded: "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!"

Those eager to learn more about managing cholesterol can access a free guide from Flora ProActiv here.