Cutting out this one food after you turn 40 could help lower your cholesterol
A new study has suggested that people should start cutting one food out of their diet once they hit 40 in order to keep their cholesterol levels down and blood pressure in check
Ditching steak once you hit the big 4-0 might help combat rising cholesterol levels and keep your blood pressure in check, suggests a health guru.
A recent Stanford University study across the pond has pinpointed the age when the body's ability to break down foods like a juicy steak takes a nosedive, leading to heftier cholesterol counts.
The Telegraph reports: "When the body doesn't manage cholesterol, it sits along the artery walls and clogs them. This puts more strain on the heart and so blood pressure rises."
READ MORE: Three foods that are healthier than you think and can help you lose weight
READ MORE: The simple and unlikely breakfast that could help reduce cholesterol levels
After the age of 40, people should also scale back on saturated fats, indulgent baked treats and anything deep-fried in their diet. But don't fret if you can't imagine life without a bit of beef - just cut down your portions, insists Harvard Medical School.
Keeping steak servings to a modest 3oz and choosing leaner cuts, such as sirloin steaks, can make all the difference. Alternatively, switching to low-fat protein options like skinless chicken is a cholesterol-wise move.
Stanford scientists zoned in on two critical ageing milestones, unearthing "spikes" at 44 and 60 years old. This finding challenges the notion that ageing is just a downhill roll, revealing significant biological shifts especially in your forties, reports Surrey Live.
While hitting 60 should see you swapping the steak knife for weights, emphasizing strength training due to muscle mass decline.
However, the study revealed that bone density weakens in the 40s, prompting experts to recommend incorporating weight-bearing activities, such as walking or jogging, into one's routine. Consuming foods rich in vitamin D can also help mitigate the effects of ageing.
Lead researcher Professor Michael Snyder advised: "You really do want to take care of yourself as you approach these periods. Eating better will help with the drop in lipid metabolism which shows up in the 40s.
"And strength training is important, especially as you hit your 60s, when there is a loss of muscle mass. Always try to track yourself with specific check-ups, so you can make sure things are going fine during these periods."