 [ Symptoms ] query about taking statins dear webmd i am 46 little over weight but a good exerciser and total vegetarian even than my cholestrol remains high my doctor prescribed lipirex 10 mg per day usually around one week my values come down well within normal after that i usually stop medication on my own on rechecking after about a month the values are back to high again do i have to take the medication for life i have no heart disease but a strong family history of heart disease  thanks faisal [ Disease ] the fda recommends that consumption of 1 5 ounces of nuts per day may reduce cardiovascular risk aside from the fatty acid composition of nuts other components such as arginine plant sterols and phenolic components may play a favorable role in the lowering of lipid levels for those who eat nuts as a regular part of their diet walnuts and almonds have been most comprehensively studied  one must always remember that these studies are far too small to establish any guidelines and there certainly is not one ounce of outcome data regarding the effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality the american dietetic association evidence library concludes that consumption of 50 113 grams 12 cup to 1 cup of nuts daily with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol decreased total cholesterol by 4 21 and ldl c by 6 29 when weight was not gained  however we have to remember that a diet rich in nuts is a heavy caloric load and may lead to weight gain i recommend somewhat smaller portions of nuts as part of a healthful diet