My cholesterol is high, but I do not want to take statin drugs, even though I am being advised that it is warranted. What can I do?
First, diet is extremely important and the first place to start. A study in JAMA indicates that cholesterol and C-Reactive Protein can be lowered as much through diet as by using a statin drug – 30%. A full dietary evaluation is indicated to identify what foods you are currently eating and your specific tastes in order to create tailored nutritional recommendations. However, a low glycemic index diet has been shown to have the best results with lowering cholesterol (and weight loss). Here are some additional foods that have been shown to lower cholesterol: almonds, soy protein, soluble fiber and plant sterols. In addition, there are many nutritional supplements that have been shown also to lower cholesterol: including policosanol, red yeast rice and plant sterols/sterolins.
