I have read claims that cholesterol does not become a plague inducing feature of the blood circulatory system (regardless of diet) if aspects of diet have not predisposed that to happen due to inflammation of that system, due to dietary factors unrelated to cholesterol.
In short, first the circulatory system’s walls become “rough” with inflammation, which induces the collection of materials that would otherwise pass through the system normally. Once the process begins and is not corrected, the inflammation caused collections become “glue” that increases the material that collects.
The standard school of thought is that the circulatory accumulations precede and cause the inflammation, while others believe the inflammation occurs first.
I am not sure if it all is just a “which comes first, the chicken or the egg” matter.
Statins reduce inflammation.
Get a NMR LipoProfile blood test. You need to know the difference between the LDL-B (the bad ones) and LDL-A - the soft fluffy ones that cause no harm.
Lowering the amount of processed carbs and and sugar (including alcohol, unfortunately) is important.
My cholesterol has been under control for some time now. I take 1000mg of Krill Oil and 580mg of Garlic bulb. It seems to work for me. Is there a connection between the original statins and wheel chairs, you betcha. I took statins for a short period of time and got a tweaked right hip joint from it. Stopped that stupidity immediately. It doesn’t bother me except when I’m on a long hike every now and then. I have never had any other joint problems.