WHEN you discover that Padraig Harrington has high cholesterol, it's definitely time to start getting concerned about your own. That a fit 35-year-old can test for a relatively high result of 6.2mmol/l shows that high cholesterol is a symptom-less problem, which can and does affect the young and healthy.

Harrington confesses that he was shocked at the results but since following a diet plan devised by Flora's nutritionist Dr Aileen McGloin, he's managed to lower his levels to 5.2 in only three weeks. He did this by including a Flora pro-mini drink or alternatively having three portions of other products from the range every day. These contain plant sterols, a natural ingredient that helps lower cholesterol. It's not a difficult dietary habit to implement and Harrington's experience indicates that it's a wise idea to keep an eye on your cholesterol, no matter how young or sporty you are.

The Limits of Lust

THAT loved-up period in relationships seems to be getting even shorter, if you believe the latest research. Apparently, we can't even look forward to seven years of lust before the itch sets in because passion fades after a mere two years, to be replaced with a so-called 'cuddle' hormone.

A study in the University of Pisa in Italy tested hormone levels in volunteers and found that those in a new relationship had significantly higher levels of a nerve growth factor called neurotrophins, in comparison with those volunteers who had steady partners.

The latter displayed higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone described as the chemical glue that keeps couple together.

Depressing as it might sounds, we must accept that every relationship starts out with high hopes, Agent Provocateur underwear and dirty weekends away, only to morph into the tracksuit-sporting, TileStyle-shopping variety.