James Kavanagh is one of the 1 in 2 Irish adults living with high cholesterol.
The podcaster and creator recently received his diagnosis, and says that he is now making time to prioritise his heart health.
“When I found out I had high cholesterol, I was shocked,” says James. “I always thought heart health was something to worry about later in life, but the truth is, it can affect anyone. I knew I had to take action—and if I needed a nudge, I figured others did too.”
James and partner William Murray have teamed up with Benecol to encourage the nation to put their hearts first.
Benecol products contain plant stanol ester, which has been shown to lower cholesterol, providing an easy way to help take control of heart health.
The pair recently hosted a special live episode of their podcast, The Simpler Life?, in collaboration with Benecol. The exclusive brunch event, held at Dublin’s The Dean Townhouse brought together an engaged audience for an open discussion on cholesterol awareness.
They were joined by good friend and fellow podcaster Louise McSharry, and the trio discussed the importance of good heart health, and how to look out for pals who may not want to take action.
Benecol’s new campaign, ‘That Caring Friend,’ highlights the role that friendships can have in overall health. New research from the brand found that 97% of Irish people agree that friendships have a positive impact on happiness, while 93% believe friendships positively impact health.
Furthermore, 70% of respondents said they have taken positive action for their health because a friend encouraged them to do so.
Laura O’Connell, Marketing Manager at Raisio Group, says: “Friendships make people happier and healthier. The joy and support that come from social connections play a vital role in overall wellbeing.
“Friends also provide motivation to take better care of each other — whether it’s booking a doctor’s appointment, getting a cholesterol test, or making small daily changes. Sometimes, everyone needs that extra encouragement.”
Audience members were encouraged to take a cholesterol test on the day, to show that getting on top of your health doesn’t need to be intimidating or scary.
For more information, follow @benecol_ie on Instagram.
Images via Andres Poveda