[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

First of all, there are some studies that are now showing that high LDL has nothing to do with heart disease. The problem comes from inflammation of the artery walls. This inflammation allows cholesterol to become embedded in the walls. Some people believe that and some don't which is fine. Most doctors have to go by what the AMA recommends these days. It's possible that we find that they've had wrong information.

A number of studies have also shown that there are very serious side effect to statin drugs, among which is early onset dementia. Again, some people believe that the cure is worse than the disease.

I take psyllium fiber (Metamucil) every day but I take only the sugar free variety. As far as eating Cherrios goes, I would be very cautious. Consuming food high in carbohydrates will raise you triglyceride levels which basically turn you r blood into sludge. The reason that Cherrios is recommended is because of the fiber. At one time oat bran muffins were recommended which was the dumbest thing ever. Muffins are filled with carbs, sugar and fat. The little bit of fiber that you'd get from them could not offset the damage done by the sugar and other carbs.

I have chosen not to take statins. This is my choice and I'm not recommending it for anyone. We all have to make our own choices based on the huge amount of conflicting information that is out there.

In my case, my triglycerides and LDL are so high that I feel that reducing them by the amount that a strong statin would, it wouldn't make enough difference to warrant the risk that comes with statin drugs.

I try to do my best to avoid, sugar and carbohydrates and I take my fiber every day. Because of all of the conflicting information out there, and much of it is economic and politically motivated, I find it very difficult to know exactly what to do. I've read many conflicting books on diet and they all seem to be written by doctors who know what they're talking about, but they can't seem to come to any agreement.

I think that many of these diets will work. Some people have gone vegan. That probably works very well, but as some of the proponents have admitted, it's very difficult. Some people will respond to that with, "I'm a vegan and it's easy". And that may be true, but it's easy for everyone. Most people like to go out to eat and spend time with friends and have a few drinks now and then.

The same thing for the paleo diet which has worked very well for some people. It's fine unless you love Italian food and want to have a bowl of pasta every once in a while.

Maybe some day after we're all gone, there will be definitive answers to all of this, but it hasn't happened yet and I don't think that it will happen in our lifetimes. Like I said, politics and economics are involved which makes it very difficult for the truth to come out even if it is known.