Increased cholesterol levels are a common side effect of some anti-HIV medications, which in turn increase risks for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
To combat significantly high blood-lipid levels, doctors can prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications, typically from a family of medications called statins. But you can take steps on your own to lower your cholesterol level through a few key dietary changes, say experts in Health magazine.
Follow these guidelines offered by the National Cholesterol Education Program, and you should soon see improvements in your blood-lipid levels:
' Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
' Limit the amounts of red meat, baked goods, fried foods, and full-fat dairy products you consume.
' Reduce saturated fat intake to no more than 7% of your total daily calories, less than 16 grams for most people.
' Limit your cholesterol intake to no more than 200 milligrams per day.
' Add 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber to your diet each day by eating more oats, beans, fruits, and vegetables.
' Add 2 grams of plant stanols and sterols to your diet each day. These natural compounds found in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds decrease the amount of cholesterol absorbed by your body.
' If you're overweight, cut calories and boost exercise to get closer to your ideal body weight. Men, try to keep your waist size below 40 inches; women, keeps yours below 35 inches. (Extra body fat, particularly abdominal fat, has been linked with heightened risks for high cholesterol.)
