Editorial by Dr. Mark Kestner:
Cholesterol drugs, also known as statins, are being criticized more each year due to their harmful side effects. As more evidence pours in about the destructive nature of these products, more people are looking for alternative solutions.
Before I go further, let me point out that you should consult with your personal doctor about whether you need any prescription drugs including those for cholesterol. Reading a column like this does not provide enough information to make that kind of decision.
However, it is important to note that if you want to reduce or eliminate cholesterol medications you must talk to your doctor and let them know of your wishes. Most doctors are not likely to suggest reducing your cholesterol medications on their own, although some will.
As an example, I recently had a patient that was complying with our dietary recommendations so well that his doctor voluntarily suggested that he discontinue his cholesterol medication. He recognized that the patient had made so much progress with our diet that he no longer needed the medications.
In another case, I suggested that a different patient ask her doctor if she could replace the statin drugs with a nutritional supplement that has been known to be effective to reduce cholesterol and her doctor agreed.
Prescription cholesterol drugs have their place but many experts agree that they are widely overused. Instead of providing the counseling necessary to help a patient alter their diet in a meaningful way, many primary care doctors resort to statin drugs too easily.
After reading the above statement, some doctors may respond, “Sure that sounds nice, until you talk to some of my patients. They simply have no desire to change anything about their diet, even though they are repeatedly told it is killing them.”
If you are one of those people reluctant to change your eating habits, please read this column twice. Your food choices really can make the difference between enjoying a long full life with relatively few medical problems or spending the last third of your life focused on your illnesses and disabilities.
A so-called Mediterranean diet really can improve the health of most people more effectively than taking cholesterol drugs. And it tastes good as well.
Before I describe more of the benefits, let me provide a simple illustration of how to eat a Mediterranean diet:
- Eat a serving of fruit with each meal, at least three servings a day
- Eat vegetables (not counting potatoes) at least 2-3 times per day
- Eat red meat less often
- Eat more fish and other seafood. At least 3-4 times per week
- Add olive oil to as many dishes as possible, such as salads and in cooking
- Learn to love legumes (That’s beans, lentils and peanuts)
- Look for ways to add red sauces
- Enjoy a glass of wine each evening if you are so inclined
That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Realizing that enjoying a Mediterranean diet during most of your days and reserving the right to occasionally enjoy a cheeseburger or country ham biscuit might even be palatable for those with a Southern palate like myself.
A recent study that involved more than 7,000 participants revealed that closely following this diet provided benefits equal to or better than taking statin drugs for cholesterol, without the risks of dangerous side effects.
As a side note, the diet also reduces risk of diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
In our office we often encounter patients that are interested in not only protecting their health but also in losing weight.
We have found that providing a customized dietary plan that improves health at the same time as initiating weight loss is a win-win for patients.
Not only do the patients lose the weight that they want, they often find that their health improves so substantially that they can work with their doctors to reduce or eliminate medications such as statins.
It is important to have professional guidance in following a dietary plan intended to improve your health to make sure you get the optimum benefit.
-Dr. Mark Kestner
