Here's a couple links that summarize some of the latest thinking regarding diet, cholesterol, and blood testing. They're fairly plain language but reflect some of the ideas that can be found in more scholarly articles elsewhere.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35058896/ns ... you-think/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35058886/ns ... gest-risk/I started my "diet" at the end February and since have lost 14 lbs. My LDL has increased from 84 to 135, my HDL has increased from 32 to 44, and, best of all, my triglycerides have decreased from 188 to 107.
I put diet in quotes because really all I have done is stop eating processed foods and grains. I have also eliminated potatoes, but I still enjoy carrots, rutabagas, beans and all other above ground vegetables. I eat melons, nuts, and fruits in moderation. I eat some processed dairy - half and half, and cheeses as well as EVOO and coconut oil, but that's it. Basically, if it comes in a box or bottle - I don't eat it. No counting calories or anything like that. My consumption of meats and saturated fats has increased (eggs and bacon nearly every day for breakfast), my consumption of vegetables has stayed about the same and my consumptions of sugars and refined carbs has been drastically reduced. At the time I started my diet, I also stopped taking my statin.
According to some of the latest scientific thinking it would appear my risk of CVD has decreased while following a diet which would be abhorrent to most physicians and is, quite frankly, a little scary to me. My plan is to continue while monitoring my blood lipids to insure my cholesterol doesn't get too high. Although, at this point, I'm unsure what too high is. In any event, I can always restart the statin if need be, but that's a little scary too, since it seems that most of my problems started, including fatigue, about the time I started taking statins.
I found an easy way to monitor my lipids -
http://www.walkinlab.com. It's associated with LabCorp and not available in all states. You register with Walkin lab, order a test on-line, they send you an order by email to take to LabCorp, your blood is drawn and Walkin sends you the results in lab report form by email. A full lipid panel cost $29 and it's incredibly hassle free. I got my results in 26 hours from the time my blood was drawn.
Bon Appetit,
Jay
Whole Foods has a 365 brand of full fat coconut milk which is comparably priced. What I do buy at TJ's is their coconut oil--best price around. 
