About P.A.D.: Control Your Cholesterol: Treatment
Control Your Cholesterol: Treatment
- Eat less saturated fat.
Saturated fat increases your blood cholesterol more than anything else in your diet. Cutting down on the amount of saturated fat in your diet is a very good way to lower your LDL cholesterol. Foods that are high in saturated fat include fatty cuts of meat, chicken or turkey with the skin, 2 percent and whole-milk dairy products, lard and some vegetable oils such as coconut and palm oils. - Cut back on foods high in cholesterol.
The cholesterol in the foods you eat raises the cholesterol level in your blood — but not as much as saturated fat. Both often are found in the same foods. These include foods such as egg yolks, high-fat meat and poultry, liver and other organ meats, and high-fat dairy products such as whole milk. By cutting down on your intake of foods high in saturated fat, you also will help reduce your intake of cholesterol. - Eat more fiber.
High fiber foods can help lower your cholesterol and are good for your digestive tract. They are a good food choice if you need to lose weight since they help you feel full on fewer calories. Increase your intake of foods that are high in soluble fiber. Choose breakfast cereals such as oatmeal and oat bran. Add fruits such as bananas, berries, and sliced peaches or apples to your cereal and eat them as snacks. Add lentils, peas and beans — black, kidney, white, pinto or other types — to salads or eat them as a main dish a few times each week. - Get more physical activity.
Ask your health care team for help on starting a new routine. Work up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking on a treadmill or go for walks outside at least 5 days a week. If you are just starting out, begin with 5 minutes a day and add 5 minutes more each week. - Control your weight.
Losing weight if you are overweight can help lower LDL cholesterol. The best way to lose weight, or control your weight, is to move more and eat less. Cut down on high-calorie and high-fat foods. Limit portion sizes. Be as active as you can throughout the day. To lose weight, eat only as many calories as you will burn. - Quit smoking.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to lower your chances of a heart attack or stroke. Ask your health care team about how they can help you quit. Set a quit date and stick to it. - Take medicines as prescribed.
There are several types of medicines to control your LDL cholesterol. These include statins, fibrates (or fibric acid derivatives), nicotinic acid (also called niacin), cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile acid sequestrants. Your health care team will prescribe the right medicine, or maybe even more than one, that works for you. If you need medicine to lower your cholesterol, make sure you understand what it is for and how and when to take it. Be sure to take the medicine as prescribed and if you have side effects, talk to your health care team about other options.
