Diet & Cholesterol
Most of the excess bad cholesterol (LDL) in our bodies comes from eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol. This is why doctors recommend changing your diet as the first step in cholesterol management. If you already have high bad cholesterol (LDL) and low good cholesterol (HDL) due to your family history, watching your fat intake is even more important.1
Adding Healthy Choices to Your Diet
Eating healthy isn't just about avoiding certain foods, like those rich in saturated or trans fats. It's also about getting more of the foods that are good for you. Adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet not only adds vital nutrients, but also helps you get more fiber. Fiber is important because it can actually help lower your cholesterol by blocking the absorption of fats and cholesterol into your blood. Whole grain breads and cereals, as well as beans, also are good choices to increase your fiber intake.
A reduced-cholesterol diet plan will help you manage your cholesterol levels. A balanced diet may help you:
Manage weight
Lower LDL
Lower blood pressure
Gain energy
Reduce health risks
While it is true that some of the cholesterol found in your body is made naturally, much of it comes from the foods you eat. Rich cuts of meat, skin-on poultry, shellfish, eggs, butter, cheese, and whole or 2% milk — any type of food that contains saturated and trans fats can cause your body to make too much cholesterol.
A balanced diet can help manage your cholesterol levels. Here are some heart-healthy choices you can make — both at home and when you dine out:1,2
Eat at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber each day. These should come from foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Enjoy whole grains, high-fiber foods, lean meats, poultry and fish at least twice a week.
Eat more vegetables and fruits.
Choose fat-free or 1% fat dairy products.
Limit your daily sodium (salt) intake to 2,300 mg or less. If you are middle-aged or older, African-American, or have high blood pressure, you probably need less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day.
Drink alcohol in moderation. No more than one drink a day for women, two for men.
References:Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Final Report. Circulation. 2002;106:3143-3421
Healthy Diet Goals. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/
HealthyDietGoals/Healthy-Diet-Goals_UCM_310436_SubHomePage.jsp. Accessed September 7, 2010
Uses for SIMCOR® (niacin extended-release/simvastatin)
SIMCOR is used when treatment with simvastatin alone or niacin extended-release alone is not enough, and when a low-fat diet and exercise alone have not been successful.
SIMCOR is a prescription medication that is used along with diet to lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, and to increase HDL "good" cholesterol in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
No additional benefit of SIMCOR on heart disease over and above that shown for simvastatin alone and niacin alone has been demonstrated.
Important Safety Information for SIMCOR
SIMCOR is not for people with liver problems, stomach ulcers, or serious bleeding problems; for women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing; or for those allergic to any product ingredient.
Contact your health care provider about any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, as this may be a sign of a serious but rare muscle disorder, from which rare cases of death may occur. This risk is increased when SIMCOR is taken with certain types of medications.
Tell your health care provider about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and nutritional supplements.
SIMCOR contains extended-release niacin. All forms of niacin are not the same. SIMCOR should not be substituted for immediate-release niacin, as severe liver damage can occur.
SIMCOR is associated with increases in liver enzymes. Your health care provider should do blood tests before and during treatment with SIMCOR to check for liver problems. SIMCOR should be used with caution if you drink large amounts of alcohol or have a history of liver disease.
SIMCOR may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check blood sugar levels more frequently during the first few months of SIMCOR use.
Tell your health care provider if you have a history of kidney problems or gout. SIMCOR may cause an increase in uric acid levels.
Women of childbearing age should use an effective method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while using SIMCOR. If you are pregnant, stop SIMCOR and contact your health care provider.
Flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin) is a common side effect that may subside after several weeks of consistent use. Flushing may vary in severity and is more likely to occur when starting therapy or during dose increases. If you take SIMCOR at bedtime, flushing will most likely occur during sleep. If flushing wakes you up, take your time getting up, especially if you feel dizzy or faint, or if you take blood pressure medications.
Other common side effects include headache, itching, nausea, back pain, and diarrhea.
For more information, talk with your health care provider.
Please click here (http://rxabbott.com/pdf/simcor_pi.pdf) for full Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you cannot afford your medication, contact: www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) for assistance.