Q: In 1986 I had a heart attack. Among other drugs I was put on 10 mg of Lipitor. I took that for many years. Then I read and heard about oat bran and decided to try it. I ordered 1000 mg oat bran tablets from a catalog. Around the same time, my gastroenterologist also urged me to get more fiber in my diet so I also ordered 560 mg psyllium capsules. I take one oat bran tablet twice a day and one psyllium at bedtime. I had a routine blood lab test following starting these supplements and my doctor indicated that he thought my cholesterol level was too low and had me reduce my Lipitor to 5 mg daily.

For some years now I have taken the oat bran and psyllium and my cholesterol has remained low with the “good” cholesterol being “ideal”. I don’t like to take drugs, and recently reduced my Lipitor to 5 mg every other day. On my next blood work test next month, I will find out my new count. I’d much rather take the oat bran and psyllium than the Lipitor.
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