First up this week is the reader seeking suggestions to bring down her stubbornly high cholesterol level. Lecithin seems to be top of the list of bad-cholesterol busters. Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 from oily fish and omega-6 from nuts and seeds, can also help control cholesterol, says one reader. Other natural cholesterol-reducers include oat, nattokinase (an enzyme from fermented soya), red yeast rice, policosanol (derived from sugar cane wax and beeswax) and vitamin B3. One reader suggested that a consistently high cholesterol level could be due to a sluggish thyroid, so a blood test may be called for.