---
Don't Focus on Statins Alone
Don't Focus on Statins Alone -- Posted by gumbo on 08-29-04 18:07
Reported by Bill End
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
ADA Comments:
Tougher federal guidelines for blood cholesterol levels could lead millions
more Americans to take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. But whether your
cholesterol is already too high or you just want to keep it from rising,
experts say food and fitness remain key allies in defending against heart
disease and stroke. That message tends to get lost in the praise for
statins. While their ability to lower cholesterol is impressive, what many
consumers overlook is that statins are meant to be used along with a healthy
diet and more physical activity. There's no question that just making diet
changes compared with taking
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
20-JUL-2004
Don't Focus on Statins Alone
Tougher federal guidelines for blood cholesterol levels could lead millions
more Americans to take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. But whether your
cholesterol is already too high or you just want to keep it from rising,
experts say food and fitness remain key allies in defending against heart
disease and stroke.
That message tends to get lost in the praise for statins. While their
ability to lower cholesterol is impressive, what many consumers overlook is
that statins are meant to be used along with a healthy diet and more
physical activity.
There's no question that just making diet changes compared with taking
statins to control blood cholesterol "looks like David versus Goliath," said
Neil Stone, professor of cardiology at Northwestern University School of
Medicine in Chicago and a member of the committee that wrote the cholesterol
guidelines published last week.
When they're first prescribed, statins can lower blood cholesterol levels by
25 to 45 percent. That's four to eight times better than diet and lifestyle
changes. So an increasingly common tactic is to simply prescribe higher
doses of statins to control blood cholesterol, since popping a pill is often
easier than changing diet or getting more physical activity.
Yet what most people don't realize, Stone said, is that the benefits of
taking statins don't multiply at the same rate when doses are cranked up.
"Every time you double the dose of statins, you only get an extra 6 to 8
percent lowering of cholesterol," he said. Higher doses cost more and have
more possible complications.
By comparison, eating a healthy diet, low in fat and cholesterol, and
getting more physical activity "also lowers blood cholesterol 6 to 8
percent," Stone said. "That saves you money and potential side
effects...Plus, if you don't follow as good a diet as possible, you could
diminish the effectiveness of statins such that you don't reach the newer
blood cholesterol goals."
And what about those whose blood cholesterol levels are normal? The best
bet, Stone and other experts said, is to do something that will sound
familiar to Lean Plate Club members: Use healthy foods and regular physical
activity as a defense against future blood cholesterol problems.
Here are some of the tactics that experts say can help lower blood
cholesterol or just help maintain normal blood cholesterol:
Aim for a healthier weight. Losing even a few pounds if you're overweight is
one of the most powerful ways to reduce blood cholesterol levels. "People
can lose just eight to 10 pounds and have a dramatic improvement in their
blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, even if they don't reach their
target weight, even if they still need to lose 80 pounds more," said Judith
Hsia, director of the Lipids Research Clinic at George Washington
University. And as Hsia noted, "it doesn't cost money to eat less."
Limit unhealthy fat. That means saturated fat, trans fatty acids and
cholesterol found in marbled meat, poultry with the skin, fried food,
full-fat dairy products and commercially prepared baked goods. Federal
guidelines say to keep saturated fat at 10 percent or less of total
calories; 7 percent or less for people with elevated blood cholesterol. The
National Academy of Sciences has advised keeping trans fat as low as
possible, while current advice for cholesterol from the American Heart
Association is to limit it to 300 milligrams per day -- about that found in
one egg yolk.
Make yourself fit. As Stein notes, study after study shows that regular
physical activity "has a very important part to play" in maintaining healthy
blood cholesterol levels. "Eating well is part of it, but if you don't work
hard to keep caloric consumption in check, you're going to get heavier."
Physical activity burns calories. "And fitness is especially important to
maintain weight that has been lost," he said.
Fill up on fruit, vegetables and fiber. Fruit and vegetables are high in
flavor, low in calories and loaded with fiber, which helps control weight
and blood cholesterol levels. Don't forget to count oatmeal and other whole
grains in that high fiber mix. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows
oatmeal makers to claim that it helps lower blood cholesterol levels when
combined with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
Chew some healthy fat. Olive, canola, sunflower and other oils with
mono-saturated or polyunsaturated fat help improve blood cholesterol levels.
While they work in different ways, some can help lower low-density
lipoprotein (LDL), the most damaging form of cholesterol, while others
either boost or keep steady levels of the protective high-density
lipoprotein (HDL).
Spread some sterols or stanols on your toast. Research shows that these
spreads -- sold as Benecol and Take Control -- help lower blood cholesterol
levels by as much as 6 percent. Trouble is, they also contain as many
calories as margarine. So go easy in slathering them on your morning bagel.
"We don't want people to eat three bagels to get their servings of plant
stanols or sterols," said Hsia, who advises patients using these products to
have them just once a day.
Nuts to you. Rich in healthy mono-unsaturated fat as well as omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids (which can help avert a dangerous, irregular heartbeat),
nuts are "a terrific way to supplement your diet," Stein said. But since
they're also calorie-dense, a few go a long way. Sprinkle diced, sliced or
slivered nuts on your salad or your morning cereal. But mete out whole nuts
carefully rather than eating them mindlessly (at about 170 calories per
handful).
Add a little garlic. Not only is it filled with flavor, but there's some
evidence that garlic may help lower blood cholesterol. Forget garlic
supplements, Stein advised, since the data on them are still limited.
Drink tea. In addition to other healthy substances, a soothing brew of
either black or green tea contains antioxidants, which may help reduce
inflammation linked with blockages in arteries .
Savor soy. The FDA says that eating soy, in conjunction with a low-fat,
low-cholesterol diet, may help lower risk of heart disease. Aim for 25 grams
per day -- about the amount found in a handful of soy nuts and a glass of
soy milk. For best effects, research suggests that soy must be eaten
regularly.
Related
Discussion:
RxSolutions and Pacificare are Anti-Consumer (1 posts)
by fonzz@.MISSING-HOST-NAME. - Last post on: 06-27-03 16:58
They apparently have a new medical director who is a bean counter, not a
true medical person. Buy their stock- just don't use them for your own
healthcare needs.
... (Read More)
Halloween Tips for Parents & Kids (1 posts)
by Gumbo - Last post on: 10-30-04 06:37
Halloween Tips for Parents & Kids
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
For many families, October brings thoughts of witches, ghosts, and goblins.
Not to mention candy, gooey treats and parties! For families living with
diabetes, Halloween prese... (Read More)
6851252 CD-R, DVD R, DVD CASES LOWEST PRICE! 68 (1 posts)
by mark deguire - Last post on: 05-23-05 13:23
media4sale.com offers innovative and quality media, CD/DVD packaging and
other computer accessories at the best prices. We pride ourselves in
service, quality and commitment and are certain that our standards will
exceed expectations.
http://www.media4sale.com
Medi... (Read More)
A vitamin for diabetics (2 posts)
by Mr.Cool - Last post on: 04-21-05 05:55
Chronium is an important mineral for diabetics,as it is required for
normal insulin function.When the body has a Chronium deficiency,it can
produce symptoms,such as impaired glcose metabolism,high bood sugar
levels,and lower HDL levels.Gymnema sylvestre also plays a role in
helping the body rep... (Read More)
Top
Discussions From Our Archives
"an easy way to make money"
if you have a medical problem, discuss here
Insulin and weight gain
Is there any alternative to a Total Hip Replacement?
Learn the Science of Meditation. Online.
Salazopiryne and AS
Other
Discussion Categories
Diabetes Symptoms
Health Care Policy
Health Care Providers HMO
Arthritis Symptoms
Oops!!! Unexpected Error While Reading the Feed
| 
