Four Ways We Keep Our Cholesterol in Check

This post is sponsored by LIVALO® (pitavastatin) and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation and see below for important safety information about LIVALO.

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Mike and I both come from families with a history of high cholesterol. Although I’ve been able to keep mine under control, Mike consistently has high cholesterol and has been under doctor’s orders to monitor it closely for the past few years. He’s not willing to give up entirely on meat and cheese, but he has made lots of lifestyle changes over the years to keep his cholesterol down, which are great for his overall health as well. Today I want to talk about ways to keep your cholesterol in check, in partnership with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America and LIVALO® (pitavastatin).

If you’re struggling with high cholesterol, here are four things we’ve learned to do as a family to help Mike get his cholesterol more under control:

We’ve learned that diet related changes can be very effective in lowering cholesterol. You can work on reducing your intake of saturated fats (found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products) and eliminate trans fats (sometimes listed on food labels as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil” and often used in store-bought cookies, crackers and cakes) which both contain a high amount of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)— the “bad” cholesterol. On the flip side, you can add more soluble fiber to your diet (found in foods such as oatmeal, kidney beans, brussels sprouts, apples and pears), which reduces the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (found in things like salmon, mackerel, herring, walnuts and flaxseeds) don’t affect LDL-C directly, but they have other heart-healthy benefits, including reducing blood pressure. The last improvement you could make is limiting your consumption of alcohol. Too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure and strokes.

Amongst many other health benefits, regular exercise and activity throughout your day can help improve your cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise 3-4 times a week. This can be intense cardio and/or weight lifting at the gym, or it can also be as simple as going for a daily walk on your lunch break, using the stairs instead of taking the elevator or going for regular family bike rides. Normal standing activities, such as cooking, cleaning or doing yardwork, are great too. If you are a quantitative person, you could get a step counter and try to meet a step goal each day. If you are motivated by competition, you can gamify step counting by competing between friends or within your own family to see who takes the most steps each day.

The only way to know your cholesterol level is through regular tests at your doctor’s office. If you can’t keep your cholesterol under control with diet and exercise alone, your doctor might recommend taking a prescription statin. There are multiple statins on the market and not all statins are created equal. LIVALO is a statin for adults with high cholesterol that along with a heart-healthy diet, helps lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and Apo B, as well as raise high-density lipoprotein. Due to the way LIVALO is broken down in the body, there is less potential for certain drug interactions when taking multiple medications. LIVALO has not been studied to evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death but may be part of an individualized approach to treatment. Common side effects include back pain, muscle pain, constipation, diarrhea, and pain in the legs or arms. Every patient is different, so work with your doctor to find the best treatment option for you!

Did you know that stress can also raise your cholesterol? That means giving yourself a break and learning how to relax isn’t just good for your mental health, it’s good for your heart health too. Meditation, yoga, reading a book, and other relaxing activities are all great ways to keep things in check. I can think of no better reason to tell your kids— momma is taking a moment to lie down. FOR HER HEALTH.

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This post was sponsored by LIVALO. Click here to learn more about statins and find out if LIVALO might be right for you.

What is LIVALO?

LIVALO is a cholesterol-lowering medication called a “statin” for adults with high cholesterol that, along with a heart-healthy diet, helps to lower total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and Apo B and to raise “good” cholesterol (HDL-C).

LIVALO has not been studied to evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death. 

Who should NOT take LIVALO? 

LIVALO is not right for everyone. Do not take LIVALO if: 

• You have a known allergy to LIVALO or any of its ingredients. 
• You have active liver problems, including some abnormal liver test results. 
• You are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant, as it may harm the baby.
• You are currently taking cyclosporine or gemfibrozil.

What is the most important information I should know and talk to my doctor about? 

• Call your healthcare provider or get help right away if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as rash, itching, or hives. 
• Muscle problems may be an early sign of rare, serious conditions. Tell your doctor right away if you have any unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever, or if these muscle signs or symptoms persist after discontinuing LIVALO.
• Serious liver problems have been reported rarely in patients taking statins, including LIVALO. Your doctor should do liver tests before you start, and if you have symptoms of liver problems while you are taking LIVALO. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel more tired than usual, have a loss of appetite, upper belly pain, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. 
• Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications you take including nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.  
• Increases in blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including LIVALO.
• Tell your doctor about your alcohol use.
• Tell your healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy.

What are the most common side effects of LIVALO? 

       The most common side effects of LIVALO in clinical studies were:

• Back pain
• Muscle pain
• Constipation
• Pain in the legs or arms 
• Diarrhea

This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more 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.  

How should I store and take LIVALO?

• Store LIVALO tablets at room temperature, in a dry place, protected from light, and keep out of the reach of children.
• Take LIVALO orally once daily with or without food at the same time each day.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not split, crush, dissolve, or chew.
• The maximum recommended dosage is LIVALO 4 mg once daily.
• If you take too much LIVALO or you or someone else takes an overdose, call your doctor and/or local Poison Control Center.

Other important information I should know about LIVALO. 

• LIVALO is available by prescription only. 

For additional information please see the full Prescribing Information or visit www.LivaloRx.com. 

© Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. (2021) – LIV-RA-0142   PI of 09/2020

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