That's actually how we got in this mess. The sugar industry funding "studies" against fat and preaching it as gospel. Low fat craze comes in and sugar reigns supreme and our health is compromised.
Totally agree - the sugar thing has been known for awhile.
As far as the LDL, I have read numerous things, talked to cardiologists, had personal experience and here's all I can say with confidence:
1. Statins do have side effects
2. They absolutely reduce LDL
3. Whether this is necessary or not is likely based on the individual. For example, if your LDL is high, and all your other markers are excellent, might not need. But if your LDL is high, and your calc score is bad, should probably get on them.
4. Most doctors believe that 80% of LDL is out of your control, so they don't seem to care about diet/exercise.
The are some fledgling health initiatives that are bubbling up - they want you to go to the doc when you're sick or have an emergency, but go to them for health management via bloodwork and telemedicine. They give you a doc, a nurtionist, a trainer, mental health, and a hormone optimization specialist.
Seems like the right direction to be going in.