Ever since cholesterol lowering prescription drugs were introduced to the medical care profession, more and more of us who are diagnosed with higher than normal levels of LDL cholesterol levels have been prescribed these drugs, in the hope of controlling this problem. For some of us, they have a positive effect in doing just that, but they all have some side affects, some to a greater degree than others. Patients mainly complain of sore muscles after taking the "Staten" cholesterol controller drugs, mainly due to liver reaction to their intake.

There is no need to chance any liver degradation( or even the slightest reaction to any of our other organs) through the use of a prescribed drug when some of the foods we normally ingest will do the job just as well... and in some cases...a lot better and surely infinitely safer. Lets begin with beans. Now, that's a food people do not eat a lot of. Yes, it has some unpleasant after effects, but I don't believe there is record of any organ degradation from partaking of some of these legumes ? The key reason of course is their high fiber content. Fiber "blocks" cholesterol from being absorbed into the intestinal walls and this "bad" cholesterol is expelled with normal excretion soon after. An 8 oz. portion of regular canned beans, preferably containing a low sugar content every other day, it has been estimated, will usually keep your LDL levels in toe. Beans have untold other medical benefits, but it is not the purpose to be explained here.

There are other foods in the herb family which have similar benefits as do our friendly legume family of beans and it is more than justified to give honorable mention here. Garlic is probably one of the most universal medicinally active herb known in our food arsenal. Garlic, which contains a compound called Ajoene, it has been found through research, actually inhibits the production of lipids, thus lowering blood cholesterol. Garlic also thins the blood, thus lessening the effects of artery clogging due to past cholesterol buildup. Garlic in the diet has been found to lower the "bad" LDL cholesterol, while raising the levels of the "good" HDL cholesterol. It has been suggested that just one clove of garlic each day should keep LDL and HDL cholesterol levels at near optimum levels with normal daily levels of cholesterol intake. Garlic should be taken in its raw form to be most effective. An example is of one level teaspoonful of raw chopped garlic and keeping jar refrigerated for future use.

Not only do beans and garlic help keep our cholesterol levels in the safe range, but a reasonable breakfast of 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cooked oatmeal will help keep those levels in the safe range. Oatmeal has a twofold benefit in our body. It also helps keep our blood sugar levels under control.

It must be cautioned that in no way does this information imply that it can replace regular medical treatment which can be provided by your personal physician, but it also does not negate the use of its possible benefits in the control of ones cholesterol.