Mona SharmaCelebrity nutritionist and wellness advocate

Red Table Talk: Heath Intervention Question #8: Prescription Medication

9 Oct 2019 · 0 min

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In this segment of Red Table Talk, host Mona Sharma leads a conversation with Jada Pinkett Smith and another speaker about cholesterol management and prescription medication. Jada shares a personal story about her father's battle with diabetes and heart disease, explaining that she was placed on a low‑dose cholesterol medication due to hereditary concerns. The discussion then shifts to a broader claim that the common belief "genetics is destiny" is a myth, emphasizing that genetic predisposition does not inevitably determine health outcomes. Mona challenges the audience to scrutinize the sources of medical advice and prescription decisions, prompting a critical look at why and when cholesterol‑lowering drugs are prescribed.

Jada, you mentioned cholesterol. Anyone on prescription medication?
I am.
Yeah.
Which is funny. Cause the doctor was like, I really don't think you need it, but if you want it. Okay.
Yeah, I'm right on the edge.
And they started me just on a really tiny dosage, just. But more because of what? My father. Hereditary. My father, he died a couple of years ago. And I remember sitting with daddio in his last couple, and he had everything. Diabetes and heart disease. It was really bad. So there were things that were preventative that I was put on for cholesterol.
You know what? Unfortunately, that is such a myth. We now know that your genetics is not your destiny. Wow, great. That's major. So not going to your doctor, getting a prescription if it's for cholesterol or whatever else. It's like. Well, hang on a second. Let's look back and see. Where does this come from? Right? What's the source?