2 THE COURIER SUN • HEALTH • APRIL 3, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com health Lower your cholesterol with easy lifestyle changes Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level is an important part of good health. While many Americans try to keep their cholesterol in check, some take medication to improve it. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one in four American adults currently take statin medications to help reduce their cholesterol levels. David Grotto, registered dietitian and best-selling author of “The Best Things You Can Eat,” has shared a few tips for those who need advice on how to support their overall health, including ways to help lower cholesterol naturally*. Eat a healthy diet Many people may believe that once they are taking a statin medication, they can resume their regular eating habits. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. To achieve healthy cholesterol levels, it’s important to eat wholesome foods rich in essential nutrients that will help nourish your body, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. “Eliminate trans fat, and reduce saturated fat sources in your kitchen and your diet,” said Grotto. “When cooking, opt for canola and olive oil. In general, add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, as this ‘good’ fat can help lower your ‘bad,’ or LDL cholesterol levels.” The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) also recommends 2,000 milligrams of plant sterols and stanols as part of a therapeutic diet to help lower cholesterol*. Plant sterols and stanols are naturally present in small quantities of vegetable oils, nuts, legumes and whole grains; however, most people only consume about 200 milligrams through their regular diet. Take quality supplements There are dietary supplements that may help lower your cholesterol*. Grotto recommends looking for quality supplements from trusted brands verifi ed by a credible third-party organization, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). He has partnered with Nature Made®, the fi rst national vitamin brand in the U.S. to earn United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verifi cation on many of its products. “I always recommend Nature Made CholestOff® Plus* to my patients because CholestOff Plus is clinically proven to lower cholesterol in just six weeks and provides an additional 1,800 milligrams of plant sterols and stanols to help meet the NCEP recommendation for cholesterol reduction. Nature Made is also the number one recommended brand among pharmacists in eight key product categories† including Cholesterol Management- Natural,” said Grotto. Stick to your prescription regimen Statin medications work on an ongoing basis, so make sure you stick to the prescribed dosage. Speak with your health care provider or pharmacist to ensure your medications and supplements can be taken together. In addition, make sure to check in with your doctor as dosage adjustments may be required over time. For more information on Nature Made CholestOff Plus, visit www. naturemade.com and for more heart healthy tips from Grotto, visit www. davidgrotto.com. *Products containing at least 400 mg per serving of plant sterols and stanols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily intake of at least 800 mg as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of Nature Made CholestOff® supplies 900 mg of plant sterols and stanols per serving for a daily intake of 1800 mg. †Based on US News & World Report - Pharmacy Times Survey for Letter Vitamins, Omega-3/Fish Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Herbal supplements, Cholesterol Management-Natural, Garlic (tie) and Diabetic Multivitamins (tie). Courtesy Family Features Yoga for the Fabulous 50s and Beyond! . Meets Tuesdays Session #1 | 11 am . Session #2 | 12 noon Marisa Bonfanti, Certified Yoga Instructor. Sign up for one class or many. Sign up today! Registration needed. George T. Douris Tower, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, 2nd Floor Exercise Room, Astoria, 11102 A New Low When It Comes To High Blood Pressure Friday, 10:30 am James Melis, MD, Family Medicine | Nearly one-third of American adults have prehypertension, a slightly elevated blood pressure that could put you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Learn how to examine your lifestyle to reduce these health risks. JVL-Dimotsis-Vallone Senior Center, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, 1st Floor, Astoria, 11102 Community CPR (Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation) Training Class Tuesday, 6:30 pm David Weissman, EMT; Michael Koenke, EMT | This CPR class teaches core skills of CPR: chest compressions, proper breathing, and examining signs of circulation. Registration needed. Church of the Redeemer, 30-14 Crescent Street, Astoria, 11102 Breast Health Screening & Education Wednesday, 5–7 pm George Tsioulias, MD, PhD | Comprehensive clinical breast exams and mammograms for women 40 years of age and older. No charge to eligible patients. Presented with support from The Louis and Rachel Rudin Foundation, Inc., Cancer Services Program and Mount Sinai Queens with educational support provided by SHAREing & CAREing. By Appointment Only. Call 718-808-7727. Mount Sinai Queens, Family Health Associates, 31-60 21st Street, Astoria, 11106 Your Vascular Health Thursday, 11 am Dr. Paul S. Lajos, MD | Vascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the United States, yet millions of Americans remain unaware of their risk. Our top vascular surgeon will discuss various vascular conditions, tests, and treatments. Victory Sweet Shop, 21-69 Steinway Street, Astoria, 11105 For a physician referral, call 800-YOUR-MDS or visit www.mshq.org/FAD M O U N T S I N A I Q U E E N S Free Health & Wellness Events Call 718-267-4333 to register for events and screenings. 04 01 04 04 04 08 04 23 04 24 April APRIL 2014 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Visit mshq.org/events for information on 27 28 29 30 Blood Pressure Screenings and all events.
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