Big-Belly Blues

Other foods that lower cholesterol include soy, nuts and the plant sterols found in spreads such as Take Control and Benecol. Canadian researchers reported that a "portfolio" diet containing these foods lowered LDL cholesterol by 29 percent, almost as much as the 31 percent achieved by a statin drug. And if you enjoy alcohol and can drink responsibly, one drink a day (for women) or two (for men) can help boost your HDL cholesterol.

You should also exercise more, which can help lower your LDL, and is particularly useful for boosting your HDL. Since exercise burns calories, it will help you lose weight, which is great for your cholesterol.

If you still need more help, ask your doctor about non-statin medications. The possibilities include ezetimibe (Zetia), the fibrates (Tricor and Lopid) and the resins (WelChol, Questran, and others). Niacin is also very helpful; unlike the others, it's available over-the-counter as well as by prescription, but like all these medications, it should be used with a doctor's careful supervision.

The statin drugs are so effective that it's easy to forget that there's a lot you can do when a statin won't do.

Vancouver, B.C.: What exercises do you recommend for a 67-year-old male with degenerative neck and lower back arthritis and whose goal is strength, balance and weight loss?
Your goals are excellent, since the human body benefits most from a balanced exercise program. You should build your program around sustained moderate activities that will burn calories, improve your cholesterol, fight diabetes, reduce your risk of certain cancers, lift your spirits and help ward off dementia, and strengthen your heart and circulation. If your arthritis is mild to moderate, you can get big rewards from walking for 30 minutes nearly every day. If walking makes your neck or back feel cranky, you can try swimming or using a low-impact exercise machine such as a stationary bike or elliptical.

To strengthen your muscles and bones, you should add resistance exercises 2 or 3 times a week. You can start by doing squats, chair stands, toe stands and wall push-ups, and then move on to lifting dumbbells as you improve.