mayofeb2020 I tried statins but couldn't tolerate them but many drugs bother my g.i. tract so do not let that stop you. My best friend's husband is a cardiologist and he has been on statins for years. And I know many people who take them.
I have been prescribed Repatha (Amgen) other name evoculomab. I give myself an injection every two weeks and it has definitely brought my cholesterol down. I am not aware of any side effects. (I am a small person who eats in a healthy way and weighs 107 lbs.) Probably hereditary.
Now diet. It definitely helps but my numbers are very very high (or were).
Here are foods that are known and proven to lower cholesterol : oats, oatmeal, nuts, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, lentils, beans, pectin rich fruits like apples and pears, eggplant, okra, olive oil, canola oil, margarines that have phytosterols in them that lower cholesterol, psyllium (which is what Metamucil is but can be purchased from in the natural foods section and mixed into smoothies), oranges (the pith is actually good for lowering cholesterol). A researcher, and doctor, Dr.David Jenkins at a major Canadian hospital (and person who created the glycemic index) came up with what he called, "The Profile Diet". Google Dr.David Jenkins. I did follow this diet for about 2 years quite strictly (although I did continue to eat fish and some chicken) and my numbers did go down. Dr.Jenkins is a vegan. However, incorporating even a few of the components of the Profile diet will be helpful. A handful of almonds a day for starters.
Good luck.
Statins are not an expensive drug, and have been around for years and widely studied. So, if I could have stayed on them I would have.