Omega-3 oils, whatever the source, apparently do cause a rise in LDL but I haven't seen anything to indicate it being a dramatic rise.

They don't seem to be particularly useful for lowering cholesterol but are very useful if your problem is high triglycerides.

Sloan Kettering has a site where they retain data about every supplement that you've ever thought of. It helps since its consolidated.

Here is a large meta-analysis of omega-3 oil use and all cause mortality:

Did the doctor try you on very low doses of a statin, e.g. 10 mg atorvastatin? Some people get a lot of bang for their buck from a small dose. Or maybe a lipophilic versus a hydrophilic? Did he suggest trying coenzyme q10 when you had muscle symptoms?

This site is kind of marginal but interesting. Rabidly anti-statin, except for very low doses.

The usual supplements for reducing cholesterol are soluble fiber, plant stanols and sterols, and niacin. Niacin should be considered a drug however at the doses used and approached with caution, especially the time-release version, hard on the liver.

Sounds like you have a good plan and are disciplined about it. Maybe lowering the krill oil will provide general health benefits but every doctor that I have talked to about fish oil recommends eating wild caught salmon or other cold water fish.

Hope this helps.

Thanks very much for your reply.
My triglycerides are fine and there was no change in those while using the Krill Oil. The doctor did put me on low doses of statins - all three (10mg), but again, the weakness in my muscles (not pain, or aches) was overwhelming. I did use CoQ10 with the second and third attempt, and also with the niacin.

Soluble fiber - would that be Beneful or something similar? I hadn't heard the term plant stanols before and just looked it up - although I don't eat (don't like) butter or margarine, I like a lot of the nuts and other foods that contain it, so I will look into upping my intake of those. I do not know what is meant by lipophilic versus a hydrophilic?

I have stopped taking the Krill Oil. I like salmon and other cold water fish, so that is something to consider also.

Thanks, again John. Very interesting -

Here's something abut soluble fiber including brand names of products. You get it naturally through whole grains and plant sources.

Benecol is a margarine product with plant sterols, pretty expensive. There are other plant sterol products, like CholestOff from Nature Made that is sold at mainstream outlets like Costco.

I wouldn't load up on supplements although these 2 shouldn't be a problem if used as directed. Try the fiber and then go on to the sterols if you need more help. Inform your doctor of any changes you make. Drink lots of water.

Garlic, aged garlic specifically is supposed to help lower cholesterol but the studies are inconclusive.

Lipophilic versus a hydrophilic refers to the fact that there are supposed to different side effect profiles between statins that are water vs fat soluble. The differences get pretty technical so I was just trying to find out if your doctor had tried both to get around your symptoms. That's probably a discussion you should have with him.

Treat over the counter products seriously. If you have questions, ask your pharmacist.

Thanks, again John!

You're welcome. Good Luck.