Your doctor prescribes one of the statin drugs. It's a good choice; these widely popular drugs can lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels by 20%–60%, thus reducing the risk of cardiac events (unstable angina, heart attacks, and cardiac deaths) by 24%–37%. If that's not enough reason to start therapy with a statin drug, consider that it appears to reduce the risk of stroke by 24%–31% — and it may even protect you against osteoporosis ("thin bones") and dementia.
But you want a non-statin alternative...
Soluble fiber can lower cholesterol levels substantially. Oat bran is the best-known example; 1–2 ounces a day should reduce your cholesterol by 10%–15%. Other excellent sources include beans, barley, prunes, citrus fruits, apples, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and apricots. Psyllium, a natural grain from India, is also rich in soluble fiber. It is not part of the American diet, but you can get it in supplements such as Metamucil or Perdiem Fiber. On average, 3 teaspoons a day will drop cholesterol levels by 15% within 4 months.
Soy protein has a similar effect, but it takes quite a lot of soy to do the job; 1–2 ounces a day will lower LDL cholesterol levels by about 12%. Soy may have other health benefits as well. Try tofu, soy milk, soy flour, or soy-based meat substitutes to see if soy is right for you.
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