Oats reduce cholesterol, absorb toxins and lower blood pressure.
The federal government said last month that barley can reduce cholesterol levels, just like oats.
"They are highly nutritious and high in monounsaturated fats which are the good fats which reduce cholesterol.
As an example, he cited Avant Immunotherapeutics, a company that is working on a vaccine to reduce cholesterol levels.
Zocor and related treatments including Pfizer's top-selling Lipitor work to reduce cholesterol by blocking a liver enzyme.
Lipitor, used to reduce cholesterol, was the world's best-selling medicine last year, with sales of $12.2 billion.
It has been accepted by doctors and used by drug makers to win quick approval for new medicines to reduce cholesterol.
Grapefruit, especially the deep red star ruby variety, can help reduce cholesterol in some patients who do not respond to statin drugs, researchers in Israel are reporting.
It is known from previous studies to reduce cholesterol levels perhaps because it is broken down to oleic acid, which is an unsaturated fat.
Statins, sold under such brand names as Pravachol and Lipitor, are a class of drugs that reduce cholesterol, which can cause fatty plaque buildups along artery walls.
Too few Americans use potentially life-saving drugs to reduce cholesterol, prompting a push to sell those drugs over the counter.
