Diet
Change Your Diet by Keeping It Simple
Changes to your diet may not be enough to get you to your cholesterol goal. But, healthy changes to your diet can help you lose weight. And losing weight can help your heart.
If you are overweight or obese, you're not alone. Nearly two-thirds* of American adults are overweight or obese. But being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease. It puts a great deal of pressure on your heart. It can damage your arteries.
Changing your diet is one way to manage your weight. Begin with small changes that will give you some "quick wins." Here are some simple things you can start doing today:
- Read food labels to help you make good choices
- Drink no more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day
- Limit your food portions. One "serving" may be less than you think
- Choose nonfat or low-fat dairy products
- Reduce your use of salt and avoid salty foods. Too much sodium can increase your blood pressure
Talk to other people and find out what's worked for them. Talk to your doctor before starting any diet plan.
*Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2003-2004. CDC Web site. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overweight/overwght_adult_03.htm. Accessed June 30, 2007.
Reference:
- Duffy RL. American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2002.
LIPITOR is a prescription drug. It is used in patients with multiple risk factors for heart disease such as family history, high blood pressure, age, low HDL ("good" cholesterol) or smoking to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. When diet and exercise alone are not enough, LIPITOR is used along with a low-fat diet and exercise to lower cholesterol.
LIPITOR is also used in patients with type 2 diabetes and at least one other risk factor for heart disease such as high blood pressure, smoking or complications of diabetes, including eye disease and protein in urine, to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
LIPITOR is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment and may adjust your dose. The most common side effects are gas, constipation, stomach pain and heartburn. They tend to be mild and often go away.
When diet and exercise alone are not enough, adding LIPITOR can help. LIPITOR is one of many cholesterol-lowering treatment options that you and your doctor can consider.
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The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
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