Food Rules To Be Followed By People On Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Nowadays, a large number of people are on cholesterol-lowering drugs. Doctors generally prescribe drugs to people with high cholesterol levels once they cross forty. For younger patients, doctors generally advocate exercise and low fat foods.

People with high cholesterol are prone to suffer from a number of diseases. High cholesterol levels might increase the possible risk of coronary disease. Heart failure is found to be more common in people with high cholesterol levels.

The elevated secretion of cholesterol from the liver to the gall bladder may cause gallbladder disease. Fatty liver disease occurs more commonly in individuals with high cholesterol levels. As this illness has only a few symptoms, the liver can be damaged by the time the illness is detected. In this disease, the liver tissue is damaged.

Hence in order to protect the body from the harmful effects of high levels of cholesterol, doctors prescribe medicines to bring the cholesterol levels down. This does not mean that people who are on cholesterol-lowering drugs can eat anything and everything they want. While choosing their food, they should follow certain rules.

People who are on cholesterol-lowering drugs should have a meal that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish and low fat oil like olive oil. This should be followed religiously.

Just because you have high cholesterol and are on a low fat diet, do not assume that you can have carbohydrates to your heart's content. If you are on cholesterol-lowering drugs, you should also consume low carb foods.

Go slow on sugar-rich foods. People on cholesterol-lowering drugs should try to consume as less sugar as possible as consuming high-sugar foods is seen to increase triglyceride levels.

Avoid taking grapefruit strictly. This is because the ingredients of cholesterol-lowering drugs and grapefruit combine to generate toxic substances.

Never skip breakfast if you are on cholesterol-lowering drugs. Research has shown that this has caused raised levels of cholesterol.