Fish oil such as Omega 3, do not lower cholesterol but may be useful in those who have high levels of triglyceride. However, the Omega 3 capsules carry substantial calories and can result in weight gain as well as worsening of blood glucose in diabetic subjects. Individuals who have suffered from a heart attack or have been diagnosed to have ischaemic heart disease should receive treatment if the cholesterol levels are elevated despite dietary control. Similarly, those who have been subjected to a coronary artery bypass grafting and whose cholesterol levels are high should also receive drug treatment. Others with high cholesterol should consult their doctors for an assessment on the need for drug therapy.
Diabetics are at particularly high risk for strokes and heart attacks.
Therefore, they should also be considered for drug therapy if cholesterol levels are deemed undesirable. The drugs currently being used to lower cholesterol such as the statins have been in use for many years and in thousands of patients. They have been proven to be safe and effective. The risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke in an untreated subject with high cholesterol is many times higher than the treatment risk. The main side effects being an abnormal liver function found on blood investigation.