Many people have the habit of taking statins for a long time. Statins, i.e., 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, can not only effectively reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein but also to some extent decrease triglycerides, and increase high-density lipoprotein. Statins can not only stabilize blood lipids but also stabilize arterial plaques, so statins can be used not only to lower blood lipids but also to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke.
Statins mainly include atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and currently the most widely used and well-known in clinical practice is atorvastatin.
However, some patients who have been taking statins for a long time may not have good control over their blood lipids and arterial plaques. As a doctor, it should be emphasized that statins are only a basic treatment and not a panacea. Taking statins does not completely cure blood lipids and arterial plaques. Chronic diseases like hypertension and coronary heart disease cannot be completely cured; only the condition can be stabilized. Moreover, it is important to maintain a healthy diet while taking statins; otherwise, even if you take a lot of statins, it will be in vain.
Doctor’s Advice: While taking statins, try to avoid these 4 foods, eating them wrongly is not trivial.
First, try to avoid fried foods while taking statins.
Many people love fried foods, everything can be fried, many people may say, the fried food is not meat, just vegetables and ordinary flour products, but after high-temperature frying, not only are the nutrients in the food destroyed, but also the fat content in the food will significantly increase. So if you love fried foods, your blood lipids will definitely not be well-controlled. Taking statins to stabilize blood lipids while not controlling your diet will not help in controlling your blood lipids well.
Second, try to avoid fatty meats and animal fats while taking statins.
Many people love to eat fatty meats and use them to refine oil, then consume animal fats for a long time. Why is it not recommended to eat fatty meats and animal fats? Because these foods mainly consist of saturated fatty acids. Eating these foods for a long time can easily raise blood lipids and worsen atherosclerosis, which is very unfavorable for controlling the condition.
Third, try to avoid eating animal organs and brains while taking statins.
Animal organs and brains have even higher saturated fatty acid content, such as pig brains, which have a cholesterol content as high as 2571 mg/100 g. The cholesterol content in beef brains and sheep brains is also quite high, at 2447 mg/100 g and 2004 mg/100 g, respectively. Compared to animal brains, the cholesterol content in animal organs is slightly lower, but very high compared to other foods; therefore, consuming animal organs and brains for an extended period is also very unfavorable for blood lipid control.
Fourth, avoid eating grapefruit and pomelo while taking statins.
Grapefruit and pomelo are rich in furanocoumarins, which can inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 enzymes, so atorvastatin in the blood cannot be broken down normally, leading to an increase in its blood drug concentration. In simpler terms, since grapefruit and pomelo interfere with statin drug metabolism, if you eat these two fruits while taking statins, it can easily increase the side effects of statin drugs. As everyone knows, every medicine has its poison, and statin drugs are no exception, the most significant side effect of statin drugs being liver function and muscle damage. Therefore, while taking statins, make sure to regularly check liver function, kidney function, and myocardial enzymes at the hospital, not waiting until you experience obvious discomfort before seeking medical attention.
