A blood test comes back with cholesterol flagged as raised, and a common first response is to cut out eggs, swap butter for a low fat spread and fill the fridge with light yoghurts. It feels like the sensible thing to do. Yet the next result can come back unchanged, or higher. October is National Cholesterol Month, and this year HEART UK’s message is “Cholesterol Matters. Every Swap Counts.” The principle is sound: small changes to food and movement add up over time. The diff

Menopause can change where the body stores fat and bring aching joints, and the two are more linked than they first appear. This article explains why fat moves to the waist during menopause, how falling oestrogen affects the joints, and how inflammation, muscle loss and blood sugar connect them. It also dispels four common myths, including whether HRT causes weight gain, and sets out seven evidence-based steps that help both, followed by answers to key questions.

What happens to the body during a month without alcohol? This Sober October guide draws on the strongest research available to explain how alcohol affects sleep quality, blood pressure, blood sugar and late night cravings, and why the red wine myth no longer holds up. It also covers the link between alcohol and breast cancer risk, practical steps for getting through the month, low sugar alcohol-free drink ideas and answers to common questions about Sober October.