Suzy Cohen

Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.

Do What it Takes to Support Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Published April 2, 2010
2 mins read

Should you take a statin?

What is best for one person is virtually impossible for most. And what is easiest for most puts a strain on the wallet. It’s not like the statins come cheap (Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Crestor, Pravachol). And if we step away from price and look at the cost of the side effects of those drugs, they come with a very high price tag. I don’t mean to sound evasive, so let me better explain. Picture this common scenario as it unfolds in a well-meaning doctor’s office with a 55 year old patient we’ll call Mr. Jones.

Doctor: Well, Mr. Jones, your blood work shows that you have dangerously high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and those bad molecules of LDL. This means that all these fat deposits will clog up your arteries and vessels, which in turn, could cause a heart attack.

Patient: Holy cow, what should I do?Doctor: You’re going to have to drop 45 pounds and start exercising routinely. I want you to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes 3 times a week and work up a good sweat. Cut out butter, cheese, hot dogs, potato chips, cheeseburgers and pizza. No more eggs, ice cream, doughnuts or cookies either. You’ll have to quit smoking immediately. Stop drinking beer and wine altogether. Oh and don’t forget, you’ll need to eat lots of bean dip, Gazpacho and tofu.Patient: Geez, doc any other options?

Doctor: Yes, you can take this tiny pill once a day.