Diet only contributes to 20 percent of the cholesterol equation as 80 percent of our cholesterol is made in our liver. Statins prevent excess production of cholesterol at the liver level, and it is this fact that separates them from prior treatments. Older drug combinations were many times poorly tolerated and not very effective if for no other reason than they were difficult to use and side effect prone. Using stains, you can actually attack the lipid equation and eat normally in most cases.
 

Statins offer superb protection from heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease. I prefer to use a third generation such as Crestor because they are safer, more effective, and well tolerated by most people. Earlier generations of statins, especially Mevacor, had more side effects, and needed closer monitoring and supplementation in my experience.
 

I have also noted in my experience that patients on some statins other than Crestor have more CoQ10 depletion (so many need CoQ10 supplementation to prevent muscle aches).