Statins are prescription drugs that inhibit the production of cholesterol in your liver, improve blood cholesterol levels and slow the formation of arterial plaque associated with cardiovascular disease. The FDA indicates that statins are an adjunctive treatment to lifestyle modifications, including a diet restrictions, to help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Consult your doctor about the most appropriate diet when taking statins.
Avoid Unhealthy Fats
People on statins need to avoid eating foods that contain unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Saturated fat is found in animal products, such as red meat, poultry and dairy. Eating saturated fat can elevate blood cholesterol levels and increase plaque formation in the arteries, which is associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Research by scientists at the Heart Research Institute in Sydney, Australia and published in the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology" in 2006 indicates that saturated fat causes inflammation of the endothelial layer of cells that line the interior of your arteries. Researchers also noted that saturated fat restricted the ability of the artery walls to expand and increase blood flow. Trans-fat increases blood cholesterol and clogs your arteries. A 2 percent increase in your calorie intake from trans fat can increase your risk of coronary heart disease by 23 percent, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Trans fats are found in processed foods, such as breads, crackers, doughnuts, cookies, cakes and margarine.
Limit Cholesterol
Taking statins requires that you limit your dietary intake of cholesterol. Foods that contain cholesterol include many of the same foods that contain saturated fat, such as dairy, poultry and red meat. Cholesterol is also found in egg yolks and processed foods that contain eggs or other animal products. Read the labels of food products to determine the ingredients.
Eat Healthy Fats
Eating small to moderate amounts of healthy fats that contribute to less than 30 percent of your total calories can help improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease. Healthy fats include monounsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids are found in olive oil, avocados, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in walnuts, flaxseeds and fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines. The American Heart Association recommends you eat at least two 3.5 oz. servings of fatty fish per week to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, including slowing the growth of atherosclerotic plaque.
Eat Whole, Plant-Based Foods
Eating whole, plant-based foods can improve your cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease. Whole plant-based foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Research by scientists at Stanford University Medical Center in California and published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in May 2005 found that eating nutrient-dense, plant-based foods lowers total cholesterol and LDL, or the "bad," cholesterol, even more than the cholesterol-lowering effect of a low-fat diet. The nutrient-dense, plant-based-foods diet also emphasized the avoidance of saturated fat and cholesterol.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health; Statins; 2010
- Pfizer; Lipitor Prescribing Information; 2009
- American Heart Association; Saturated Fats; October 29 2010
- "Journal of the American College of Cardiology"; Consumption of Saturated Fat Impairs the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of High-Density Lipoproteins and Endothelial Function; Stephen Nicholls, et al.; Aug 15 2006
- New York Presbyterian Hospital; Think Again Before Eating High-Fat Meal; Aug. 2006
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out with the Bad, in with the Good
