Did a yogurt send my cholesterol up?

I HAD some blood tests last week and one showed slightly raised cholesterol. An hour and a half before the tests, I ate a full-fat yogurt with muesli and berries. Could this have affected the result? EATING before a blood test for cholesterol no longer affects the result.

It is important to remember that cholesterol is tested as a means to quantify risk of heart disease and stroke. The overall cholesterol level is no longer considered crucial, but rather the total cholesterol compared to the proportion of good cholesterol, known as HDL. This ratio is critical for long-term health. High cholesterol itself does not need treatment, so slightly raised values in an otherwise healthy person should not be a cause for concern. TWO years ago, at 66, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. It felt like, overnight, I had become an invalid. I had very low bone density in my lower spine with a fractured vertebra. Since then, apart from an annual trip to the hospital where I’m given intravenous medication, there doesn’t seem any help available. I wonder what the future holds? AN OSTEOPOROSIS diagnosis should not necessarily mean disability, but a vertebral fracture may.

This fracture within the spine can occur spontaneously in osteoporosis just because the bones are weaker and less dense, and often from simple movements such as bending. We call this a fragility fracture and it can often reveal previously undiagnosed osteoporosis.

Fractured vertebrae cause back pain as well as loss of height and curving of the spine. This can lead to difficulties with bending, reaching, dressing and washing and can also squash the digestive system, causing acid reflux and problems with swallowing and eating.

For anyone with osteoporosis, exercise and movement are recommended, particularly strength-training to build up different muscle groups including hips, wrist and spine.

Vitamin D supplements and calcium are also essential, especially for people who spend most of their time indoors.