This is a a really good book with some practical ideas on lowering LDL. I plan to add more of the ideas and see the results. The only suggestion that I am skeptical about is the margarine. I recommend the book to anyone who is struggling with high LDL. There is also a large number of recipes in the back of the book. ( )

I don't agree with the recommendation for margarine, but otherwise this seems well written. ( )

I skimmed through a lot of the parts that got too medical and all those studies. I believe these steps will work and I'll do anything not to be put on statins again although I don't remember the side effects. In the past I've tried to cut down on food with a lot of cholesterol, but I see now there are more things to add to your diet besides fish oil. I haven't looked at all the recipes yet, but hope to try more. The black beans and rice were delicious. ( )

Brill presents a solid program for lowering your total and LDL cholesterol without using medications. All but one step are dietary: eat oats, eat almonds, eat flaxseed, beans, apples, psyllium, margarine made with phytosterols, soy protein and garlic. Add exercise, and you have the program. She gives the amounts you need, and in one appendix, some recipes for using these foods. She also presents meal plans, exercise plans, and a heart disease risk calculator, and tells you what other health benefits the 10 steps can provide.

This is not a health food store book just trying to sell supplements. Each step is explained fully- what each compound in the food does, right down to the cellular level. The studies she cites are peer reviewed. In the one case where most of the studies were done by the purveyors of the item, she comes out and explains that so you can make up your own mind if you want to trust those studies. Since this is not a sell the magic supplement book, the program is very inexpensive to use. Except for the phytosterol margarine, these foods are very, very cheap to eat. If you follow this diet, you’ll save money at the grocery store on top of not having to buy expensive statin drugs that are full of side effects- or have to pay for an expensive stay in a cardiac unit.

This is a sound program to follow even if you ultimately end up on statin drugs- it can keep your dose lower, and there are many health benefits to the diet. I’d advise anyone who has high LDL cholesterol to read this book and give it a try. ( )

At my last checkup, my doctor told me that my cholesterol was a little high. Nothing to worry about yet as my HDL was very good, but I should try to make a few dietary changes to lower the bad numbers as they were on the high end of normal. I did not want to take drugs as all drugs have unpleasant side effects. Dr. Brill's book explains how to lower cholesterol by adding foods, plant sterols, soy, garlic, oatmeal, apples, beans, almonds, flaxseed and daily walking for exercise. This book is easy to understand but also has details on the how and why each step works. She backs this up with facts and studies. The key is fiber. Lots of fiber, both soluble and dietary fiber, to remove excess cholesterol from the body.

The first half of the book explains the 10 steps, the second half is recipes.One warning: add the fiber gradually. Digestive distress will ensue if it's done all at once! I know, I did it. Does it work? I'll find out a few months when I go for my follow up blood test. For now I have added daily oatmeal, apples, nuts, garlic and walking, plus my already high fiber diet with lots of fruits and veggies.

UPDATE: Yes, it works! After 3 months I went for my follow-up test. Bad cholesterol numbers were down more than 20%. All are now in the good to very good range. ( )