Glenda Gilson has told of her shock at finding out she has high cholesterol – a risk factor in heart disease.
The model and presenter said she’s getting fit and living a healthier lifestyle to bring it down.
The 41-year-old told the Irish Mirror: “I was shocked when I got the result at how high my cholesterol is.”
READ MORE: Glenda Gilson breaks silence and explains Ireland AM exit following shock departure
Glenda was speaking at the Benecol breakfast event – also attended by influencer James Kavanagh – which revealed how one-in-four Irish people have high cholesterol.
The heart-health food brand launched its new oat shot, which contains key ingredient plant stanols – shown to lower levels of lipids in the blood.
Glenda explained how she imagined it being an issue in older people – not someone her age.
She said: “I only thought of cholesterol when I was thinking of my mother.
“It was my first cholesterol test and I still think I’m 26 in my head.
“Now I’m like: ‘Oh Jesus it was high’. Over five, which they told me was high. You need to be below five, the experts told me.
“I have a good lifestyle. They told me to cut out butter and milk – but I don’t eat butter and I only take skinny milk in my coffee.
“I love eggs though, I have a good breakfast, a lot of coffee in there, but I always have a healthy lunch.”
The mum-of-two admitted she liked a drink or two, joking that the main factor in her high cholesterol might be the red wine.
She added: “I eat better now because I find when I’m out and about I grab whatever I can, but when I’m at home I eat a clean lunch.”
Last October Glenda left her TV presenting job on Ireland AM after 14 years at Virgin.
She says she’s enjoying taking a step back being a mum to Bobby, three, and one-year-old Danny, adding: “Workwise I’m doing whatever comes my way. I’m happy as Larry at the moment with my children.”
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