From Deepavali open houses to year-end company dinners, Christmas parties and then Chinese New Year, the last stretch of the year in Malaysia is one long, delicious feast. Murukku and ghee sweets, curry and biryani, roast meat, steamboat and late suppers all arrive within a few weeks.
It is also the time many people finally book their yearly health screening, or get a cholesterol reading back from the company check-up and wonder what the numbers mean. This guide explains how to read a basic lipid report, how festive eating can show up in it, and practical habits that help you enjoy the season without letting your numbers drift.
Why cholesterol is worth checking in Malaysia
According to the Ministry of Health's National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, about 1 in 3 Malaysian adults (33.3%) has high cholesterol, which is roughly 7.6 million people. The same survey found that around half of them did not know it.
That is the tricky part. High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. You will not feel it after a heavy meal, so the only way to know where you stand is a blood test.
How to read your lipid report
A standard lipid profile usually shows four numbers, measured in mmol/L in Malaysia:
- Total cholesterol (TC). The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood. A level below 5.2 mmol/L is commonly treated as desirable.
- LDL cholesterol. Often called "bad" cholesterol, because high levels can build up in artery walls over time. There is no single target for everyone. Your doctor sets yours based on your age, blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking and family history.
- HDL cholesterol. Often called "good" cholesterol, because it helps carry cholesterol away. Higher is generally better, commonly above 1.0 mmol/L for men and above 1.2 mmol/L for women.
- Triglycerides (TG). Fat in the blood that rises easily with sugar, refined carbs and alcohol. A fasting level below 1.7 mmol/L is commonly treated as normal.
These are general reference points only. If any number is flagged on your report, go through it with your doctor, who will look at your whole picture before deciding whether you need lifestyle changes, a repeat test or medication.
How festive eating can show up in your numbers
One big dinner will not change your cholesterol overnight. What matters is the pattern. When open houses, buffets and suppers stack up for six to eight weeks, a few things tend to happen:
- Triglycerides climb first. Sweets, sugary drinks, white rice, kuih and alcohol are quick to push them up.
- Saturated fat adds up. Ghee, santan, fried snacks and fatty meat in large portions can nudge LDL higher over weeks.
- Movement drops. Holidays, travel and rain mean fewer walks, which does not help HDL.
- Sleep gets shorter. Late nights and supper make it harder to keep the rest of your routine on track.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a long run of rich, oily and sweet food is described as a heavy burden on the spleen and stomach. It is linked with "dampness" (shi) and a sluggish, heavy feeling. TCM's answer is the same as modern advice: lighter meals between feasts, more vegetables and grains, and regular movement.
7 habits to enjoy the season and protect your numbers
- Pick your feasts. Go all in at the open houses that matter to you, and keep the meals in between simple, with rice, vegetables, fish or tofu.
- Use the half-plate rule. Fill half your plate with vegetables first, then add curry, meat and rice.
- Taste the sweets, don't graze them. Enjoy a few pieces of murukku or ladoo, then step away from the snack table.
- Swap your drinks. Choose plain water, warm tea or kosong drinks instead of syrup, soft drinks and teh tarik with extra condensed milk.
- Add soluble fibre. Oats, barley, beans, okra (bendi) and fruit such as guava and apple are easy to add to everyday meals.
- Walk after the big meals. A 15 to 20 minute walk after lunch or dinner is easy to fit in, even at a family gathering.
- Book your test at the right time. If you want a fair picture, avoid testing the morning after a big feast, and follow your clinic's fasting instructions.
Where TruHerbs Natto Plus fits in a daily routine
Some adults like to add a traditional supplement to their daily self-care alongside better eating and exercise. TruHerbs Natto Plus combines two fermented ingredients with long histories in East Asian food culture:
- Fermented soybean (natto) extract, 250 mg per capsule. Natto is a Japanese fermented soybean food and a natural source of nattokinase.
- Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) extract, 250 mg per capsule. Red yeast rice has been used in Chinese cooking and traditional practice for centuries. It contains naturally occurring lovastatin.
It comes in 100% vegetable capsules, so it suits vegetarians, and it is registered with the Ministry of Health Malaysia as a traditional product. The suggested use for adults is 1 to 2 capsules once a day after a meal with lukewarm water, or as directed on the label.
Natto Plus is a supplement for general wellbeing, not a medicine. It does not replace a healthy diet, exercise, regular check-ups or any treatment your doctor has prescribed.
Who should check with a doctor first
- Anyone taking cholesterol medicine, such as statins or fibrates. Because red yeast rice contains naturally occurring lovastatin, do not combine them without your doctor's advice.
- Anyone taking blood thinners or antiplatelet medicine, such as warfarin or aspirin, anyone with a bleeding disorder, and anyone due for surgery or dental extraction.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not for use.
- Anyone with liver or kidney conditions, or anyone on regular prescription medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. If you are advised to take both, separate them by at least 2 hours unless told otherwise.
Stop taking it and see a doctor if you notice unusual muscle aches or extreme tiredness. You can read more in our guide to nattokinase side effects and contraindications.
Not sure whether it fits your routine? Our team is happy to help you work it out before you buy.
FAQ
Can one festive meal raise my cholesterol?
Not in a lasting way. Triglycerides can rise for a short time after a heavy, sugary meal, which is why many clinics ask you to fast. Weeks of rich eating are what tend to show up in your numbers.
How often should I check my cholesterol?
Many adults check during a yearly health screening. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of heart disease or a previous high reading, your doctor may ask you to test more often.
Do I need to fast before a cholesterol test?
It depends on your clinic. Some tests need 8 to 12 hours of fasting, mainly for an accurate triglyceride reading. Follow the instructions you are given.
Can I take Natto Plus with my statin?
Do not combine them unless your doctor says so. Red yeast rice contains naturally occurring lovastatin, which works in a similar way to some statins.
When is the best time to take Natto Plus?
Once a day after a meal with lukewarm water, which may be gentler for people sensitive to fermented ingredients.
Disclaimer: This article is for general wellness information only and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from a qualified healthcare professional. Use the product as directed on the label. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.
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