Hi, I,m 59 yrs old have been taking cipralex 20 mg. for a year eat very well (healthy) and exercise daily but have gained aload of belly fat,that I did not have a year ago, what can I do?

Hi,
Thanks for writing. I know it is frustrating to take medication to help treat one condition...only to find out that you are now developing another condition or symptoms as side effects.

The best thing for you to do is meet with a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) who specializes in working with patients on medications, with depression or other similar conditions. You can contact your doctor or hospital for recommendations.

Most individuals who say they "eat healthy" and "exercise daily" may not be doing so in a way to decrease weight. You can easily eat healthy, but consume too many calories. Similarly, you can also exercise daily but not burn enough calories. There is no secret to weight loss, as the formula remains the same: expend (exercise) more calories than you consume (eat). Of course, age, medication, medical conditions and other factors can add barriers to this equation and make it more difficult...but meeting with an R.D. can help you determine your caloric needs, what exercises you can do to effectively lose weight (and not just maintain weight).