The absolute mandate for improving cholesterol levels is to first make changes in lifestyle (both diet and exercise). Even when drugs are used, healthy diet and physical activity are critical companions.
There are many major dietary approaches for protecting health, such as the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and healthy types of fats. Doctors generally agree on the following recommendations for heart protection:
National Cholesterol Education Month is coming to a close. We’ve discussed what cholesterol is and how it is measured. We’ve talked... Read more »
One of the cliches about treating diabetes is that having diabetes puts you in the same risk category as that of a person who has already... Read more »
What is the best way to take my pills? This question is at the root of more confusion than any other question in medicine. The public... Read more »
Do you take statin medication to keep your cholesterol levels within normal? A warning label is being added to statin medications,... Read more »
Lisa Nelson RD #8: Please clear up the confusion about grapefruit and medication! Is it safe for individuals taking medication for heart... Read more »
For the third time in seven years, advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have voted to deny drugmaker Merck's request to make the... Read more »
People with high cholesterol know that it's important to steer clear of fatty, unhealthy foods, but experts say adding certain foods may help as... Read more »
Conventional wisdom among heart experts has been that to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, patients should lower their bad cholesterol and... Read more »
A new kind of cholesterol med has shown promise in a new clinical trial. The small study of 24 moderately overweight adults showed that the... Read more »
Researchers reviewed several studies in which patients taking simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or atorvastatin (Lipitor) added... Read more »