Diet Versus Drugs for High Cholesterol

To combat dyslipidemia, which includes high cholesterol, patients have several treatment options that include drugs, diet, and/or lifestyle changes. Drugs are effective, but produce adverse side effects in a significant proportion of patients. Statins, such as Lipitor, are the most widely prescribed, but they produce adverse effects in up to a third of patients. Adverse effects are also associated with the other drugs in common usage.

“Adverse effects may include liver, muscle, and kidney dysfunctions; skin disorders; abdominal pain; nausea; constipation; dizziness; flushing; neurological disorders; and cognitive impairment. On the other hand, therapies based on dietary and lifestyle changes produce little or no adverse effects [in fact, tend to have positive side effects] and are the cornerstone of recommendations by the [official U.S. body]…American Heart Association…[as well as the international guidelines]. Recommendations include reduced intake of saturated fat and cholesterol while increasing physical activity and intake of dietary fiber.”

So, we need to eat fewer animal foods, the only source of cholesterol, and more plants, the only source of fiber.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Kerry Skinner.

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• Timothy PC, Mark A, Andrew WB. Cholesterol-lowering phytosterols: factors affecting their use and efficacy. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements. 2010 July;2:59-72.

• brain health
• cardiovascular disease
• cholesterol
• cognition
• dietary guidelines
• fiber
• heart disease
• Lipitor
• liver health
• medications
• saturated fat
• side effects
• statins