Back in February I had my physical and shortly after that I got a call to come back in to discuss my blood test results. Nuts! My cholesterol has been rising for the last 2 years, from 205 total to 299 as of this last check. My doc said this is my body doing it and not my lifestyle, now since my 205 count 2 years ago I have stopped drinking and eating at the quick places in hopes of lowering the numbers and not take any meds. Well after the 299 in Feb I thought "screw it" bacon and Lipitor here I come. Of course my doctor is selling me these drugs like I'm buying a new car ( him a car). My wife and I decided to really put some effort into changing things one last time. I had heard about Red Rice Yeast with CQ-10 and found on the internet so many mixed things about all of it I really didn't know what to do. I ordered a bottle of this stuff and it said to take a hand full of these pills before each meal which seemed a little much ( 3-4 pills each meal is allot) so I started with taking 1 pill before dinnertime to see if I felt anything because it is a statin I'm told. Along with this I think the biggest change is my eating habits, red meat 2 times a week, usually a big ole steak and fish 3 times a week and chicken till I puke. Lunch is uneventful with lots of veg, fruits and nuts. I find myself eating more frequently and sometimes not content the way I would after a big burger. No more processed foods which has been a challenge and it does take a little more time and planning for meals, however I received a call from my doctor today. I had another recheck last week and he assured me that nothing I could do would lower my numbers enough to prevent medical intervention and I ought to just forgo the test and take Lipitor. As much as I pay for insurance I said " Do the test". He said in his 15 years he had only had 2 people lower the numbers all by themselves. SUCK IT DOC from 299 to 201 in 4 months! I am one happy MO FO. He was very impressed and asked for more details about this change, he poo poo'd Red Rice Yeast and that's fine. My weight is from 227 to 218 and blood pressure from 134 to 128. I can't say that the red rice yeast made such a dramatic change by itself but I can tell you that food is fuel and the better the fuel the better the engine runs. I believe a combination of both can yield very positive results, I also have much higher energy levels and sleep much better just to name a few noticeable differences. I will continue my course and wait to see were my numbers end up. I don't know the exact numbers of the test, but who cares. I don't need prescription drugs and that great, Thanks NOW