Hi, Payne. I have a family history of heart attacks and high cholesterol. My MD tried me on statins but I developed muscle weakness from them and had to stop. It took a year for the poisons in my muscles from the statins to work their way out. Aside from watching my diet, the best medicine for high cholesterol is . . . exercise. It has to be aerobic exercise that makes you sweat, e.g., bike riding, swimming, eliptical machines.

In addition to high cholesterol, I also have VERY high triglycerides (fat in the blood) from eating too many simple carbohydrates. This complicate matters. I have to eat whole grains (oatmeal, beans) and avoid pastries and white breads. I also have to limit red meats and other meat fats like chicken skin. Veggies are fine as long as I don't put butter or solid margarine on them. I use a lot of olive oil on everything because it's good for my arteries. I don't do well with fruit which is high in sugar; I've learned to like avocados.

It is important to note where your body stores fat. If you put on fat in the stomach area that is a danger signal. You must lose that fat. If you smoke that has to stop. Some people watch salt intake and that seems to help too by keeping blood pressure low though, in really hot weather, salt is really important for the body.

Men and women have different mineral needs. For instance, women need iron but iron is a mineral that can cause heart attacks in men and needs to be avoided. Don't underestimate the need for sleep to stay physically and mentally healthy. Too little sleep will increase appetite and cause weight gain. I wish you good health!