Q: My cholesterol level is 234, LDL 140 and HDL 81.I have been learning the Zone method of eating for about two months. I am a 50-year-old aerobic and strength coach who has been addicted to starchy carbs for most of my life, but now that I can't exercise like I used to because of osteo arthritis in my hip, I've been packing on the body fat. I've lost about 12 pounds but lots of inches. I've been taking four fish oil capsules per day. I am also on 20 mg Prozac, 100 mg Trazodone, 10 mg Adderall twice per day, two bio flex pills and mobic as needed for pain. My doctor wants me to go on Simvastatin to lower my cholesterol, but I am reluctant to do that. In one of your books I read that it's more about the LDL and HDL ratio, which by my calculations would be at 1.7. I've greatly reduced my dairy intake and eat only one yolk in my three egg frittatas. I'm eating minimal amounts of red meat. Is there anything else I can do to lower my total cholesterol number with diet instead of medication? Thanks for all your books! I'm feeling much better now that I am eating in the Zone!
A:What drives up cholesterol levels is elevated insulin. By lowering insulin, you will lower cholesterol. The more strictly you follow the Zone Diet (almost all vegetables for your carbohydrate sources), the lower the insulin levels. However, inflammation can also increase insulin levels (via insulin resistance), so taking about 5 grams per day of EPA and DHA (eight capsules) would also be of great benefit.