Effects of Diet and Drugs to Cholesterol May Vary to One Person to Another

20/12/06 Why is it that a particular diet or drug will lower one person’s cholesterol levels and not another’s? A new report by Harvard Medical School explains why one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to lowering cholesterol and provides the lowdown on a variety of treatment options.

What to Do About High Cholesterol explains that genetic and physiological differences from person to person lead to wide variation in how people’s cholesterol levels respond to cholesterol rich foods, as well as to heart-healthy diets. Because there isn’t a single recommendation for diet or cholesterol intake, people often have to try several different approaches until they find one that works for them.

The report, prepared with medical editor Mason Freeman, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Lipid Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, outlines an individualized approach to cholesterol reduction. It describes what dietary changes to make, how to get started on an exercise program, and when to talk with your doctor about medications. Although statins are probably the best-known treatment for cholesterol, they aren’t for everyone. The report also details the other medication options available, including fibric acid derivatives, niacin, bile acid binders, and natural substances such as plant sterols that can help lower cholesterol.