Healthy Living Tips From
If you take statins, take note
If you’re one of the more than one billion people worldwide who
takes a cholesterol-lowering statin, you may be at a higher risk for
side effects if you also take certain antibiotics. In a recent study,
researchers found that taking the antibiotic clarithromycin (brand
name Biaxin) led to a slightly increased risk of dangerous drug interactions for certain statin users.
In the study, researchers analyzed a database of more than
104,000 people ages 66 and older who were taking one of two common antibiotics – clarithromycin or azithromycin (Zithromax) –
along with one of three statins – rosuvastatin (Crestor), pravastatin
(Pravachol) or fluvastatin (Lescol). The risk of hospitalization or
death due to acute kidney injury or high potassium levels in the 30
days following clarithromycin prescription was higher in those who
took the clarithromycin-statin combo.
While the authors point out that drug interactions are uncommon, they advise it’s better to err on the side of caution. The authors
suggest that azithromycin – or another antibiotic that doesn’t
interact with statins – may be a safer option.
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MARCH 2015
What’s more dangerous than obesity?
You’ve probably heard about the dangers of obesity such as high
blood pressure, heart attacks and stroke, just to name a few. That’s
why the results of a recent study are so surprising: Lack of exercise
may be twice as deadly as obesity.
The study, which analyzed 334,000 people across an average of
12.4 years, tracked height, weight, waist circumference and selfreported levels of physical activity. The researchers found that eliminating physical inactivity would reduce the number of deaths twice
as much as eradicating obesity.
The good news? Even a little exercise – as few as 20 minutes of
walking a day – reduced the risk of early death by up to 30 percent.
So get moving! Clean your kitchen, walk as you talk on the phone or
read the newspaper on a stationary bike. Every little bit counts!
Want to live longer?
Who knew the secret to a longer life could be found in your
pantry? According to researchers, regularly eating whole grains such
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