Michael, age 45, came into my office seeking help to reduce his blood cholesterol. He had just been diagnosed and was seeking an alternative treatment to avoid taking lipid lowering medications.

He told me he had started taking flax oil and hemp hearts which are polyunsaturated essential fatty acids when he read they were important for a healthy cardiovascular system.

I reminded Michael that 50 percent of people have normal cholesterol at the time of their heart attack and heart health isn’t just about cholesterol and saturated fats in the diet.