Well.....I haven't been to the doctor in a long time. They checked my Cholesterol and the total was 283. I don't have the breakdown here. I checked on my family history and it appears to be genetic for the most part. I get excercise everyday and am not what I would call overweight. He put me on Lipitor and after three weeks, I quit taking it because of all the side effects. I am interested in a natural product..Has anyone had any luck with Profibe Grapefruit Pectin, Xtend-Life, or Retorol? These are different products I have found on the internet but don't really know much about them....I don't really care too much for the side effects of lipitor and need an alternative.... Thanks for you comments about the natural way....craig

Some on this board suggested pectin which you can purchase at healthfood store, I have started taking cholest-off which i purchased at Wal Mart. I also use Take control spread and eat high fiber low fat.

Natural Way? Diet. Eliminate transfats and modify carbohydrate consumption and do not eat processed foods.

I increased my soluble fiber by eating lots of fruits and veggies plus supplementing with Benefiber.

Also using Benecol/Take Control Spreads instead of margarine and using Cholestoff.

Also eating Salmon or Tuna 3 times a week and several servings a week of Sweet Potatoes

Whole grain products, limit sugar, limit fat and cholesterol of course.

I run/walk 4-6 miles per day, do weights 3 or 4 days a week.

I'll know in a couple of weeks if its working or not.

Also added soy products and cut out all meat except turkey.

Your situation sounds like mine. My cholesterol was high 279 total and I was overweight. I took a statin and had problems with it. Went off and modified my diet in a way that 'made sense' from all I knew listening to the media and reading the popular press...cut fat and desserts...stayed with my veggie diet. My cholesterol dropped by about 10 points, but nothing dramatic.

I have since started taking policosanol that is supposed to be as effective as statins AND I'm on the South Beach Diet which first eliminates carbohydrates, then after a two week hiatus, adds back complex carbs for a good balance. I haven't been doing this long enough to know what the effect may be, but I CAN share the info on policosanol...here's a link to the research..http://www.policosanol.com/monograph.htm

I have lost 10 lbs. eating differently and am very hopeful that this combination of diet and 'drug' will do the trick. Will let you know when I know!

Beth