Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury has given a health update after a blood test revealed an unexpected result. The 55-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, has been in remission since her surgery. However, a recent test measuring essential fatty acid levels showed a ratio she described as 'not what I expected,' leading her to reassess her diet.
Blood Test Reveals Imbalance
Julia shared the news on Instagram, writing: 'Sometimes you can do everything right, and still get thrown a curveball when it comes to your blood test results. I thought I was eating well. I walk everyday, I cook from scratch, I don't eat much processed food. And then after the blood test, the results showed me something I found genuinely surprising. My Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio was nearly eight when it should be under three.'
According to studies, a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is associated with an increased risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. These essential fats cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from diet.
Quick Improvement with Supplements
Julia began taking Omega-3 supplements and said she 'managed to fix it in three months.' She explained: 'These days it can be tricky to consume enough in the right quantity. Think small fish like herring, mackerel and sardines, and most processed food contains vegetable oils - sunflower, corn, soy - which are high in Omega-6. We used to eat roughly equal amounts of both. Now most people consume up to 15 times more Omega-6 than Omega-3.'
Lifestyle Changes Since Diagnosis
Since her breast cancer diagnosis, the TV presenter has been meticulous about her lifestyle and diet. In a 2024 interview, she said: 'I don't drink, I eat a healthy diet and exercise every day. When I came home from my mastectomy, I promised I would spend time outside every day, and that is my mantra, however poor it might be in this sh**** winter.'
Julia is best known for presenting BBC's Countryfile, which she helped revamp into a primetime BBC One hit. Following a successful single mastectomy, she has shifted her focus to advocacy, writing, and wellness while continuing to film travel and outdoor series like ITV's The Wonders of The Frozen South.
