You can read all the science and junk science you want but when you have a familial hereditary issue with hyperglycemia and cholesterol exercise and diet, no matter how much rabbit food you eat, will not eliminate the underlying health issue. If you have cholesterol issues brought on by poor health and diet that's another story and it can very often be controlled by diet and excercise. It annoys me how the anti-crowd paint all cholesterol issues as the "same" and "all" can be treated by "diet and exercise", it is pure bunk to paint with the brush they do....

I've been having blood work done every three months since I was 20 years old. My dad, who was always in tip top shape, had a 5 way bypass at 39 years old and a three way at 58. He's now 71 and in excellent shape thanks to a balance of drugs, medical advancements, exercise and diet. I am now 44 and do not yet need one, I pass my stress tests and procedures with flying colors.

My Grandfather died at 46 and was one of the first recipients of heart bypass surgery at John's Hopkins, he was well connected in the medical community and got in on the ground floor.. It bought him about 4 more years back then. I used to race bikes, run, climb mountains, play multiple sports and was in top shape. Without meds my cholesterol & trigs were still sky high and it has not changed, even though I am now over weight and in less good shape.

I carefully baseline every few years to check my status without drugs. I've changed my diet & exercise multiple times, been in medical studies, read about 40 books all claiming to solve the issue, nearly every medical study on the subject encompassing about 30+ drugs, have been on every drug known to man, all the way back to Questran/Cholestyramine, and after 24 years of this, 7 doctors, ND's, nutritionist and many other "options" finally have a good balance of diet, drugs and exercise. I also spent a large part of my career, before semi-retiring, in the dreaded pharm & biotech industries so am not new to reading all the research that is out there and have, on BOTH sides..

I would LOVE to be off drugs but it's not going to happen, tried every trick in the book. I've read all the books mentioned plus many more such as Diana Schwarzbein's which is also excellent and not mentioned. I could stand to lose some weight now but I know from 24 years of blood work, every three months, that it makes little difference in MY case. My brother still runs marathons and is an active triathlete. His cholesterol & trigs are as high as mine or higher and he is a vegetarian who eats kibbles. He has tried as hard as I have to be off drugs, not going to happen in his case or mine or my fathers. He does eat carefully selected carbs when training but rapidly burns through them.

If you have health diet related issues talk to your doc and see if he wants you to try diet and exercise at pre-set intervals such as baseline blood work then 3 month intervals. Exercise & diet changes can often work in these types of cases. If however you have a hereditary familial history PLEASE seek appropriate medical care and advice not something you read on a sailing forum.