High Cholesterol (Holistic)
About This Condition
-
Reduce risk with fiber
Add whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables to your meals to reduce heart disease risk
-
Add soy protein to your diet
30 grams (about 1 ounce) a day of powdered soy protein added to food or drinks can help lower cholesterol
-
Check out natural vegetable fats (plant sterols and stanols)
Take 1.6 grams a day as a supplement or in specially fortified margarines to help reduce cholesterol
-
Get some supplemental garlic
600 to 900 mg a day of a standardized garlic extract may help lower cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries
-
Raise "good" cholesterol with exercise
Start a regular exercise program to help raise HDL ("good") cholesterol
-
Cut the bad fats
Foods that contain saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, and cholesterol (such as animal products, fried foods, and baked snacks) can raise cholesterol.
-
Cut the bad fats
Foods that contain saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, and cholesterol (such as animal products, fried foods, and baked snacks) can raise cholesterol
-
Pick a plant-based diet
Emphasize vegetarian meals whenever possible to reap the rewards of avoiding animal fats and increasing fiber and other cholesterol-stabilizing nutrients
-
Get and stay trim
Aim for a healthy body weight to avoid problems with blood lipids and other heart disease risk factors
-
Get moving
Use a regular program of aerobic exercise to maintain optimal blood lipid levels and lower heart disease risk
-
Avoid the habit
Maintain healthy HDL ("good") cholesterol levels and low heart disease risk by avoiding cigarette smoke
-
Protect with antioxidants
Use at least 100 mg per day vitamin C and/or up to 400 IU vitamin E to protect LDL cholesterol from damage that can increase heart disease risk
About
About This Condition
Although it is by no means the only major risk factor, elevated serum (blood) cholesterol is clearly associated with a high risk of heart disease .
Most doctors suggest cholesterol levels should stay under 200 mg/dl. As levels fall below 200, the risk of heart disease continues to decline. Many doctors consider cholesterol levels of no more than 180 to be optimal. A low cholesterol level, however, is not a guarantee of good heart health, as some people with low levels do suffer heart attacks .
Medical laboratories now subdivide total cholesterol measurement into several components, including LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which is directly linked to heart disease, and HDL ("good") cholesterol, which is protective. The relative amount of HDL to LDL is more important than total cholesterol. For example, it is possible for someone with very high HDL to be at relatively low risk for heart disease even with total cholesterol above 200. Evaluation of changes in cholesterol requires consultation with a healthcare professional and should include measurement of total serum cholesterol, as well as HDL and LDL cholesterol.
The following discussion is limited to information about lowering serum cholesterol levels or increasing HDL cholesterol using natural approaches. Because high cholesterol is linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease, people concerned about heart disease should also learn more about atherosclerosis .
Symptoms
This condition does not produce symptoms. Therefore, it is prudent to visit a health professional on a regular basis to have cholesterol levels measured.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Exercise increases protective HDL cholesterol,1 an effect that occurs even from walking.2 Total and LDL cholesterol are typically lowered by exercise, especially when weight-loss also occurs.3 Exercisers have a relatively low risk of heart disease .4 However, people over 40 years of age, or who have heart disease, should talk with their doctor before starting an exercise program; overdoing it may actually trigger heart attacks .5
Obesity increases the risk of heart disease,6 in part because weight gain lowers HDL cholesterol.7 Weight loss reduces the body's ability to make cholesterol, increases HDL levels, and reduces triglycerides (another risk factor for heart disease).8 , 9 Weight loss also leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Smoking is linked to a lowered level of HDL cholesterol10 and is also known to cause heart disease.11Quitting smoking reduces the risk of having a heart attack.12
The combination of feelings of hostility, stress, and time urgency is called type A behavior. Men,13 , 14 but not women,15 with these traits are at high risk for heart disease in most, but not all, studies.16 Stress17 or type A behavior18 may elevate cholesterol in men. Reducing stress and feelings of hostility has reduced the risk of heart disease.19
Eating Right
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
Recommendation | Why |
---|---|
Add some olive oil |
Monounsaturated fats, such as the fats in olive oil, lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, especially when the olive oil replaces saturated fats, such as many fats from meat and dairy, in the diet.
Olive oil lowers LDL cholesterol, especially when the olive oil replaces saturated fat in the diet. People from countries that use significant amounts of olive oil appear to be at low risk for heart disease. A double-blind trial showed that a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil, lowers cardiovascular disease risk by 25%, as compared with a 12% decrease from a low-fat (25% fat) diet.The trial also found that low-fat diets decrease HDL cholesterol by 4%, which is undesirable, since HDL cholesterol is protective against heart disease. Diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil do not adversely affect HDL levels. Although olive oil is clearly safe for people with elevated cholesterol, it is, like any fat or oil, high in calories, so people who are
overweight
should limit its use.
|
Avoid sugar |
Eating sugar has been reported to reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol and to increase other heart disease risk factors.
Eating sugar has been reported to reduce protective HDL cholesterol and increases other risk factors linked to heart disease. However, higher sugar intake has been associated with only slightly higher risks of heart disease in most reports. Although the exact relationship between sugar and heart disease remains somewhat unclear, many doctors recommend that people with high cholesterol reduce their sugar intake.
|
Eat canola oil and flaxseed |
People who eat diets high in alpha-linolenic acid—found in canola oil and flaxseed products—have high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect against heart attacks.
Doctors and researchers are interested in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—the special omega-3 fatty acid found in large amounts in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil. ALA is a precursor to EPA, a fatty acid from fish oil that is believed to protect against heart disease. To a limited extent, ALA converts to EPA within the body. However, unlike EPA, ALA does not lower triglyceride levels (a risk factor for heart disease). Preliminary research on the effects of ALA from flaxseed has produced conflicting results. In 1994, researchers conducted a study in people with a history of heart disease, using what they called the "Mediterranean" diet. The diet was significantly different from what people from Mediterranean countries actually eat, in that it contained little olive oil. Instead, the diet included a special margarine high in ALA. Those people assigned to the "Mediterranean" diet had a remarkable 70% reduced risk of dying from heart disease compared with the control group during the first 27 months. Similar results were also confirmed after almost four years. Although cholesterol levels fell only modestly in the "Mediterranean" diet group, the positive results suggest that people with elevated cholesterol attempting to reduce the risk of heart disease should consider such a diet. The diet was high in beans and peas, fish, fruit, vegetables, bread, and cereals; and low in meat, dairy fat, and eggs. Although the authors believe that the high ALA content of the diet was partially responsible for the surprising outcome, other aspects of the diet may have been partly or even totally responsible for decreased death rates. Therefore, the success of the "Mediterranean" diet does not prove that ALA protects against heart disease. |
Eat more fish |
Eating fish has been reported to increase HDL "good" cholesterol and is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease in most but not all studies.
|
Get good omega-6 fatty acids |
Many vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds contain omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids that improve the ratio between "bad" and "good" cholesterol. (When choosing oils, avoid partially-hydrogenated oils, which increase heart disease risk.
Many vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds contain omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids that lower total and LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol remains unchanged by an increase in omega-6 fats, so the ratio between "bad" and "good" cholesterol is improved. When choosing oils containing omega-6 fats, avoiding partially-hydrogenated oils is important since partial hydrogenation results in the formation of trans fatty acids that raise LDL cholesterol and increase heart disease risk.
|
Get your garlic |
Eating garlic has helped to lower cholesterol in some, but not all, research. It is also known to act as a blood thinner and may reduce other heart disease risk factors.
Garlic is available as a food, as a spice in powder form, and as a supplement. Eating garlic has helped to lower cholesterol in some research, though several double-blind trials have not found garlic supplements to be thusly effective. Although some of the negative reports have been criticized, the relationship between garlic and cholesterol lowering remains unproven. However, garlic is known to act as a blood thinner and may reduce other risk factors for heart disease. For these reasons, some doctors recommend eating garlic as food, taking 900 mg of garlic powder from capsules, or using a tincture of 2 to 4 ml, taken three times daily.
|
Go nuts |
Research consistently shows that people who frequently eat nuts have a reduced risk of heart disease, possibly because eating nuts lowers cholesterol.
Preliminary research consistently shows that people who eat nuts frequently have a dramatically reduced risk of heart disease . This apparent beneficial effect is at least partially explained by preliminary and controlled research demonstrating that nut consumption lowers cholesterol levels. Of nuts commonly consumed, almonds and walnuts may be most effective at lowering cholesterol. Macadamia nuts have been less beneficial in most studies, although one controlled trial found a cholesterol-lowering effect from macadamia nuts.Hazelnuts, and pistachio nuts, have also been reported to help lower cholesterol. Nuts contain many factors that could be responsible for protection against heart disease, including fiber , vitamin E , alpha-linolenic acid (found primarily in walnuts), oleic acid, magnesium , potassium , and arginine . Therefore, exactly how nuts lower cholesterol or lower the risk of heart disease remains somewhat unclear. Some doctors even believe that nuts may not be directly protective; rather, people busy eating nuts will not simultaneously be eating eggs, dairy, or trans fatty acids from margarine and processed food, the avoidance of which would reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Nonetheless, the remarkable consistency of research outcomes strongly suggests that nuts do help protect against heart disease. Although nuts are loaded with calories, a preliminary trial surprisingly reported that adding hundreds of calories per day from nuts for six months did not increase body weight in humans—an outcome supported by other reports. Even when increasing nut consumption has led to weight gain, the amount of added weight has been remarkably less than would be expected, given the number of calories added to the diet. Given the number of calories per ounce of nuts, scientists do not understand why moderate nut consumption apparently has so little effect on body weight. |
Reduce risk with fiber |
Add whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables to your meals to reduce heart disease risk.
Soluble fiber from beans, oats , psyllium seed, glucomannan , and fruit pectin has lowered cholesterol levels in most trials. Doctors often recommend that people with elevated cholesterol eat more of these high-soluble fiber foods. However, even grain fiber (which contains insoluble fiber and does not lower cholesterol) has been linked to protection against heart disease, though the reason for the protection remains unclear. It makes sense for people wishing to lower their cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease to consume more fiber of all types. Some trials have used 20 grams of additional fiber per day for several months to successfully lower cholesterol. Psyllium has also been found to enhance the effect of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin . Oat bran is rich in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan . In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration passed a unique ruling that allowed oat bran to be registered as the first cholesterol-reducing food at an amount providing 3 grams of beta-glucan per day, although some evidence suggests this level may not be high enough to make a significant difference. Several double-blind and other controlled trials have shown that oat bran and oat milk supplementation may significantly lower cholesterol levels in people with elevated cholesterol, but only weakly lowers them in people with healthy cholesterol levels. Flaxseed , another good source of soluble fiber, has been reported to lower total and LDL cholesterol in preliminary studies. A double-blind trial found that while both flaxseed and sunflower seed lowered total cholesterol, only flaxseed significantly lowered LDL. Amounts of flaxseed used in these trials typically range from 30–50 grams per day. A controlled trial found that partially defatted flaxseed, containing 20 grams of fiber per day, significantly lowered LDL cholesterol, suggesting that at least one of the cholesterol-lowering components in flaxseed is likely to be the fiber in this product, as opposed to the oil removed from it. Controlled trials of flaxseed oil alone have shown inconsistent effects on blood cholesterol. |
Choose coffee carefully |
Drinking boiled or French press coffee increases cholesterol levels, but drinking paper-filtered coffee does not, as paper coffee filters keep the offending chemicals from entering the cup.
Drinking boiled or French press coffee increases cholesterol levels. Modern paper coffee filters trap the offending chemicals and keep them from entering the cup. Therefore, drinking paper-filtered coffee does not increase cholesterol levels. Espresso coffee has amounts of the offending chemicals midway between those of other unfiltered coffees and paper-filtered coffee, but there is little research investigating the effect of espresso on cholesterol levels, and studies to date have produced conflicting results. The effects of decaffeinated coffee on cholesterol levels remain in debate.
|
Eat smaller, eat often |
When people eat a number of small meals, studies have shown that serum cholesterol levels fall compared with the effect of eating the same food in three big meals.
When people eat a number of small meals, serum cholesterol levels fall compared with the effect of eating the same food in three big meals. People with elevated cholesterol levels should probably avoid very large meals and eat more frequent, smaller meals. |
Enjoy a drink |
People who have one to two drinks per day appear to live longer and are less likely to have heart disease.
Moderate drinking (one to two drinks per day) increases protective HDL cholesterol. This effect happens equally with different kinds of alcohol-containing beverages. Alcohol also acts as a blood thinner, an effect that should lower heart disease. However, alcohol consumption may cause liver disease (e.g.,
cirrhosis
), cancer,
high blood pressure
,
alcoholism
, and, at high intake, an increased risk of
heart disease
. As a result, some doctors never recommend alcohol, even for people with high cholesterol. Nevertheless, those who have one to two drinks per day appear to live longer and are clearly less likely to have heart disease. Therefore, some people at very high risk of heart disease—those who are not alcoholics, who have healthy livers and normal blood pressure, and who are not at high risk for cancer, particularly
breast cancer
—are likely to receive more benefit than harm, from light drinking.
|
Go easy on the eggs |
Until more is known about the link between eggs and heart disease, limiting eggs to one per day may be a good idea for people with diabetes.
Most dietary cholesterol comes from egg yolks. Eating eggs has increased serum cholesterol in most studies. However, eating eggs does not increase serum cholesterol as much as eating foods high in saturated fat, and eating eggs may not increase serum cholesterol at all if the overall diet is low in fat. Egg consumption does not appear to be totally safe, however, even for people consuming a low-fat diet. When cholesterol from eggs is cooked or exposed to air, it oxidizes. Oxidized cholesterol is linked to increased risk of heart disease . Eating eggs also makes LDL cholesterol more susceptible to damage, a change linked to heart disease. Whether or not egg eaters are more likely to die from heart disease is a matter of controversy. In one preliminary study, egg eaters had a higher death rate from heart disease, even when serum cholesterol levels were not elevated. However, another preliminary study found no evidence of an overall significant association between egg consumption, and risk of heart disease or stroke , except in people with diabetes . Until more is known, limiting egg consumption may be a good idea, particularly for people with existing heart disease or diabetes. |
Replace meat with soy |
Soy protein has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. And if soy replaces animal protein, the cholesterol-lowering effect is even more pronounced.
Tofu, tempeh, miso, and some protein powders in health food stores, are derived from soybeans. In 1995, an analysis of many trials proved that soy reduces both total and LDL cholesterol. Since then, other double-blind and other controlled trials have confirmed these findings. Trials showing statistically significant reductions in cholesterol have generally used more than 30 grams per day of soy protein. However, if soy replaces animal protein in the diet, as little as 20 grams per day has been shown to significantly reduce both total and LDL cholesterol. Isoflavones found in soy beans appear to be key cholesterol-lowering ingredients of the bean, but animal research suggests other components of soy are also important.
|
Try a vegetarian diet |
Vegetarians have lower cholesterol than meat eaters, in part because they avoid animal fat. Vegans (people who eat no meat, dairy, or eggs) have the lowest cholesterol levels.
Vegetarians have lower cholesterol and less heart disease than meat eaters, in part because they avoid animal fat. Vegans (people who eat no meat, dairy, or eggs) have the lowest cholesterol levels, and switching from a standard diet to a vegan diet, along with other lifestyle changes, has been reported to reverse heart disease in controlled research.
|
Cut the bad fats |
Foods that contain saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, and cholesterol can raise cholesterol.
Eating animal foods containing saturated fat is linked to high cholesterol levels and heart disease . Significant amounts of animal-based saturated fat are found in beef, pork, veal, poultry (particularly in poultry skins and dark meat), cheese, butter, ice cream, and all other forms of dairy products not labeled "fat free." Avoiding consumption of these foods reduces cholesterol and has been reported to reverse even existing heart disease. Unlike other dairy foods, skimmed milk, nonfat yogurt, and nonfat cheese are essentially fat-free. Dairy products labeled "low fat" are not particularly low in fat. A full 25% of calories in 2% milk come from fat. (The "2%" refers to the fraction of volume filled by fat, not the more important percentage of calories coming from fat.) In addition to large amounts of saturated fat from animal-based foods, Americans eat small amounts of saturated fat from coconut and palm oils. Palm oil has been reported to elevate cholesterol. Research regarding coconut oil is mixed, with some trials finding no link to heart disease , while other research reports that coconut oil elevates cholesterol levels. Despite the links between saturated fat intake and serum cholesterol levels, not every person responds to appropriate dietary changes with a drop in cholesterol. A subgroup of people with elevated cholesterol who have what researchers call "large LDL particles" has been reported to have no response even to dramatic reductions in dietary fat. (LDL is the "bad" cholesterol most associated with an increased risk of heart disease.) This phenomenon is not understood. People who significantly reduce intake of animal fats for several months but do not see significant a reduction in cholesterol levels should discuss other approaches to lowering cholesterol with a doctor. Yogurt, acidophilus milk, and kefir are fermented milk products that have been reported to lower cholesterol in most, but not all, double-blind and other controlled research. Until more is known, it makes sense for people with elevated cholesterol who consume these foods, to select nonfat varieties. While coconut oil is high in saturated fat, some evidence suggests it does not cause unhealthy changes in blood cholesterol levels compared with other saturated fats. In a controlled study of people with high cholesterol, coconut oil resulted in higher total and LDL cholesterol levels compared with safflower oil (a polyunsaturated oil), but lower levels compared with butter, while HDL levels were similar for all three diets. Another controlled study compared coconut oil with canola oil, and found that coconut oil raised total and LDL cholesterol in people with high cholesterol who were not taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, but did not affect these levels in people who were taking these drugs. HDL levels were not reported in this study.fatty acids (TFAs) are found in many processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils. The highest levels occur in margarine. Margarine consumption is linked to increased risk of unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels and heart disease . Margarine and other processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils should be avoided. |
Watch the margarine |
Most margarines contain high levels of trans fatty acids and are linked to high cholesterol and heart disease.
Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are found in many processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils. The highest levels occur in margarine. Margarine consumption is linked to increased risk of unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels and heart disease . Margarine and other processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils should be avoided. However, special therapeutic margarines are now available that contain substances, called phytostanols, that block the absorption of cholesterol. The FDA has approved some of these margarines as legitimate therapeutic agents for lowering blood cholesterol levels. The best-known of these products is Benecol™. The cholesterol-lowering effect of these margarines has been demonstrated in numerous double-blind and other controlled trials. |
Supplements
Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 Star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Supplement | Why |
---|---|
3 Stars
Beta-Glucan
2,900 to 15,000 mg daily
|
Beta-glucan is a type of soluble fiber that has been shown to lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raise HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Beta-glucan
is a type of soluble
fiber
molecule derived from the cell wall of baker's yeast,
oats
and barley, and many medicinal mushrooms, such as
maitake
. Beta-glucan is the key factor for the cholesterol-lowering effect of oat bran. As with other soluble-fiber components, the binding of cholesterol (and bile acids) by beta-glucan and the resulting elimination of these substances in the feces is very helpful for reducing blood cholesterol. Results from a number of double-blind trials with either oat- or yeast-derived beta-glucan indicate typical reductions, after at least four weeks of use, of approximately 10% for total cholesterol and 8% for LDL ("bad") cholesterol, with elevations in HDL ("good") cholesterol ranging from zero to 16%. For lowering cholesterol levels, the amount of beta-glucan used has ranged from 2,900 to 15,000 mg per day.
|
3 Stars
Chromium
200 to 500 mcg daily
|
Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol in double-blind and other controlled trials.
Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol in double-blind and other controlled trials, although other trials have not found these effects. One double-blind trial found that high amounts of chromium (500 mcg per day) in combination with daily exercise was highly effective, producing nearly a 20% decrease in total cholesterol levels in just 13 weeks. Brewer's yeast , which contains readily absorbable and biologically active chromium , has also lowered serum cholesterol. People with higher blood levels of chromium appear to be at lower risk for heart disease. A reasonable and safe intake of supplemental chromium is 200 mcg per day. People wishing to use brewer's yeast as a source of chromium should look for products specifically labeled "from the brewing process" or "brewer's yeast," since most yeast found in health food stores is not brewer's yeast, and does not contain chromium. Optimally, true brewer's yeast contains up to 60 mcg of chromium per tablespoon, and a reasonable intake is 2 tablespoons per day. |
3 Stars
Fenugreek
10 to 30 grams three times per day with meals
|
Fenugreek seeds contain compounds that inhibit both cholesterol absorption in the intestines and cholesterol production by the liver.
Fenugreek seeds contain compounds known as steroidal saponins that inhibit both cholesterol absorption in the intestines and cholesterol production by the liver. Dietary fiber may also contribute to fenugreek's activity. Multiple human trials (some double-blind) have found that fenugreek may help lower total cholesterol in people with moderate atherosclerosis or those having insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes . One human double-blind trial has also shown that defatted fenugreek seeds may raise levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol. One small preliminary trial found that either 25 or 50 grams per day of defatted fenugreek seed powder significantly lowered serum cholesterol after 20 days. Germination of the fenugreek seeds may improve the soluble fiber content of the seeds, thus improving their effect on cholesterol. Fenugreek powder is generally taken in amounts of 10 to 30 grams three times per day with meals. |
3 Stars
Glucomannan
4 to 13 grams daily
|
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that has been shown to significantly reduce total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and to raise HDL cholesterol.
Glucomannan
is a water-soluble dietary
fiber
that is derived from konjac root. Controlled and double-blind trials have shown that supplementation with glucomannan significantly reduced total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and
triglycerides
, and in some cases raised HDL cholesterol. Effective amounts of glucomannan for lowering blood cholesterol have been 4 to 13 grams per day.
|
3 Stars
HMB
3 grams daily
|
Supplementing with HMB, or beta hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, is an effective way to lower total and LDL cholesterol.
The combined results of nine double-blind trials indicate that supplementing with HMB, or beta hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, effectively lowers total and LDL cholesterol. All trials used 3 grams per day, taken for three to eight weeks.
|
3 Stars
Pantothenic Acid
300 mg pantethine taken two to four times per day
|
Pantethine, a byproduct of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), may help reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the body.
Pantethine
, a byproduct of
vitamin B5
(pantothenic acid), may help reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the body. Several preliminary and several controlled trials have found that pantethine (300 mg taken two to four times per day) significantly lowers serum cholesterol levels and may also increase HDL.However, a double-blind trial in people whose high blood cholesterol did not change with diet and drug therapy, found that pantethine was also not effective. Common pantothenic acid has not been reported to have any effect on high blood cholesterol.
|
3 Stars
Psyllium
5 to 10 grams per day with meals
|
Psyllium has been shown to be effective at lowering total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
Use of psyllium has been extensively studied as a way to reduce cholesterol levels. An analysis of all double-blind trials in 1997 concluded that a daily amount of 10 grams psyllium lowered cholesterol levels by 5% and LDL cholesterol by 9%. Since then, a large controlled trial found that use of 5.1 grams of psyllium two times per day significantly reduced serum cholesterol as well as LDL-cholesterol. Generally, 5 to 10 grams of psyllium are added to the diet per day to lower cholesterol levels. The combination of psyllium and oat bran may also be effective at lowering LDL cholesterol. |
3 Stars
Red Yeast Rice
1.2 to 2.4 grams (5 to 10 mg of monacolins) daily in divided amounts
|
One of the ingredients in red yeast rice appears to block the production of cholesterol in the liver.
Researchers have determined that one of the ingredients in red yeast rice , called monacolin K, inhibits the production of cholesterol by stopping the action of the key enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase) that is responsible for manufacturing cholesterol. Monacolin K is the same compound as lovastatin (Mevacor), a prescription drug used to treat high cholesterol. However, the amount of monacolin K in red yeast rice is small (5 mg per 2.4 grams of red yeast rice) when compared with the 20 to 40 mg of lovastatin typically used to lower cholesterol levels. It appears that monacolin compounds present in red yeast rice work together with monacolin K to produce a greater cholesterol-lowering effect than would be expected from the small amount of monacolin K alone. The red yeast rice used in various studies was a proprietary product called Cholestin, which contains ten different monacolins. Note: Cholestin has been banned in the United States, as a result of a lawsuit alleging patent infringement. Other red yeast rice products currently on the market differ from Cholestin in their chemical makeup. None contain the full complement of ten monacolin compounds that are present in Cholestin, and some contain a potentially toxic fermentation product called citrinin. Despite these concerns, other red yeast rice products are being widely used and both anecdotal reports and clinical research suggest that they have a similar safety and efficacy profile as that of Cholestin. |
3 Stars
Sitostanol
1.7 grams daily
|
Sitostanol, a synthetic molecule related to beta-sitosterol, is available in margarine form and has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
A synthetic molecule related to beta-sitosterol , sitostanol, is available in a special margarine and has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one controlled trial, supplementation with 1.7 grams per day of a plant-sterol product containing mostly sitostanol, combined with dietary changes, led to a dramatic 24% drop in LDL ("bad") cholesterol compared with only a 9% decrease in the diet-only part of the trial.Other controlled and double-blind trials have confirmed these results. A review of double-blind trials on sitostanol found that a reduction in the risk of heart disease of about 25% may be expected from use of sitostanol-containing spreads, a larger clinical effect than that produced by people reducing their saturated fat intake. Supplementation with sitostanol in the amount of 1.8 grams per day for six weeks has also been shown to enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of statin drugs. |
3 Stars
Soy
25 grams soy protein per day
|
Soy supplementation has been shown to lower cholesterol. Soy contains isoflavones, which are believed to be soy's main cholesterol-lowering ingredients.
Soy supplementation has been shown to lower cholesterol in humans. Soy is available in foods such as tofu, miso, and tempeh and as a supplemental protein powder. Soy contains isoflavones, naturally occurring plant components that are believed to be soy's main cholesterol-lowering ingredients. A controlled trial showed that soy preparations containing high amounts of isoflavones effectively lowered total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, whereas low-isoflavone preparations (less than 27 mg per day) did not. However, supplementation with either soy or non-soy isoflavones (from red clover) in pill form failed to reduce cholesterol levels in a group of healthy volunteers, suggesting that isoflavone may not be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of soy. Further trials of isoflavone supplements in people with elevated cholesterol, are needed to resolve these conflicting results. In a study of people with high cholesterol levels, a soy preparation that contained soy protein, soy fiber, and soy phospholipids lowered cholesterol levels more effectively than isolated soy protein. |
3 Stars
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
1,500 to 3,000 mg daily under a doctor's supervision
|
High amounts (several grams per day) of niacin, a form of vitamin B3, have been shown to lower cholesterol.
High amounts (several grams per day) of niacin, a form of vitamin B3 , lower cholesterol, an effect recognized in the approval of niacin as a prescription medication for high cholesterol. The other common form of vitamin B3—niacinamide—does not affect cholesterol levels. Some niacin preparations have raised HDL cholesterol better than certain prescription drugs. Some cardiologists prescribe 3 grams of niacin per day or even higher amounts for people with high cholesterol levels. At such intakes, acute symptoms (flushing, headache, stomachache) and chronic symptoms (liver damage, diabetes , gastritis , eye damage, possibly gout ) of toxicity may be severe. Many people are not able to continue taking these levels of niacin due to discomfort or danger to their health. Therefore, high intakes of niacin must only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. Symptoms caused by niacin supplements, such as flushing, have been reduced with sustained-release (also called "time-release") niacin products. However, sustained-release forms of niacin have caused significant liver toxicity and, though rarely, liver failure. One partial time-release (intermediate-release) niacin product has lowered LDL cholesterol and raised HDL cholesterol without flushing, and it also has acted without the liver function abnormalities typically associated with sustained-release niacin formulations. However, this form of niacin is available by prescription only. |
3 Stars
Vitamin C
1,000 mg daily
|
Vitamin C appears to protect LDL cholesterol from damage, and in some trials, cholesterol levels have fallen when people supplement with vitamin C.
Vitamin C
appears to protect LDL cholesterol from damage. In some clinical trials, cholesterol levels have fallen when people with elevated cholesterol supplement with vitamin C. Some studies report that decreases in total cholesterol occur specifically in LDL cholesterol. Doctors sometimes recommend 1 gram per day of vitamin C. A review of the disparate research concerning vitamin C and
heart disease
, however, has suggested that most protection against heart disease from vitamin C, is likely to occur with as little as 100 mg per day.
|
2 Stars
Artichoke
Refer to label instructions
|
Artichoke has moderately lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in some trials.
Artichoke has moderately lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in some, but not all, human trials. One double-blind trial found that 900 mg of artichoke extract per day significantly lowered serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but did not decrease triglycerides or raise HDL cholesterol. However, in another double-blind trial, supplementation with an artichoke extract significantly increased HDL cholesterol. Cholesterol-lowering effects occurred when using 320 mg of standardized leaf extract taken two to three times per day for at least six weeks. |
2 Stars
Astaxanthin
4 to 12 mg daily
|
Astaxanthin has antioxidant and other properties that may help improve blood cholesterol regulation and protect against lipoprotein oxidation.
Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family that has antioxidant and other properties that may help improve blood cholesterol regulation and protect against lipoprotein oxidation, according to test tube and animal studies. One double-blind trial in normal weight people with high blood triglycerides found astaxanthin, taken in amounts of either 6 mg or 12 mg per day, raised HDL cholesterol, but had no effect on total or LDL cholesterol. However, another double-blind trial in overweight people, using 20 mg per day of astaxanthin, found no significant change in blood lipids compared to a placebo.
|
2 Stars
Asteraceae
15 to 20 drops of tincture twice per day for six months
|
In one trial, people who took a tincture of Achillea wilhelmsii had significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and an increase in HDL cholesterol.
In a double-blind trial, people with moderately high cholesterol took a tincture of Achillea wilhelmsii, an herb used in traditional Persian medicine. Participants in the trial used 15 to 20 drops of the tincture twice daily for six months. At the end of the trial, participants experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides
, as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol compared to those who took placebo. No adverse effects were reported.
|
2 Stars
Berberine
500 mg twice per day
|
Berberine, a compound found in certain herbs such as goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape, has been found to lower serum cholesterol levels.
Berberine, a compound found in certain herbs such as goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape, has been found to lower serum cholesterol levels. In a study of people with high cholesterol levels, 500 mg of berberine taken twice a day for three months lowered the average cholesterol level by 29%. No significant side effects were reported, except for mild constipation. |
2 Stars
Berberine (Type 2 Diabetes)
500 mg two to three times daily
|
Berberine may improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity and decrease risks of cardiovascular and other complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
Berberine is an alkaloid compound extracted from medicinal herbs such as goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), and Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium). Multiple clinical trials, research reviews, and meta-analyses of trials show berberine can improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity and decrease risks of cardiovascular and other complications in people with type 2 diabetes. Some evidence suggests it may also support healthy weight loss in people with diabetes. It has even been found to have comparable efficacy to conventional anti-diabetes drugs and to enhance the benefits these drugs when used in combination. Since it is poorly absorbed through the intestinal wall, some researchers have proposed berberine exerts its actions through positively impacting the gut microbiota. Researchers have typically used doses of 1–1.5 grams of berberine per day.
|
2 Stars
Beta-Sitosterol
0.8 to 3.2 grams daily
|
Beta-sitosterol blocks cholesterol absorption and has been shown in studies to reduce blood levels of cholesterol.
Soy contains phytosterols. One such molecule,
beta-sitosterol
, is available as a supplement. Beta-sitosterol alone, and in combination with similar plant sterols, has been shown to reduce blood levels of cholesterol in preliminary and controlled trials. This effect may occur because beta-sitosterol blocks absorption of cholesterol. In studying the effects of 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 grams of plant sterols per day, one double-blind trial found that higher intake of sterols tended to result in greater reduction in cholesterol, though the differences between the effects of these three amounts were not statistically significant.
|
2 Stars
Calcium
800 to 1,000 mg daily
|
Some trials have shown that supplementing with calcium reduces cholesterol levels.
Caution: Calcium supplements should be avoided by prostate cancer patients. Some preliminary and double-blind trials have shown that supplemental calcium reduces cholesterol levels. Possibly the calcium is binding with and preventing the absorption of dietary fat. However, other research has found no substantial or statistically significant effects of calcium supplementation on total cholesterol or HDL ("good") cholesterol. Reasonable supplemental levels are 800 to 1,000 mg per day. |
2 Stars
Charcoal
4 to 32 grams per day
|
Activated charcoal has the ability to attach (adsorb) cholesterol and bile acids present in the intestine, preventing their absorption.
Activated
charcoal
has the ability to adsorb (attach to) cholesterol and bile acids present in the intestine, preventing their absorption. Reducing the absorption of bile acids results in increased cholesterol breakdown by the liver. In controlled studies of people with high cholesterol, activated charcoal reduced total- and LDL-cholesterol levels, when given in amounts from 4 to 32 grams per day. Larger amounts were more effective: reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were 23% and 29%, respectively, with 16 grams daily, and 29% and 41% with 32 grams daily. Similar results were reported in other controlled and preliminary studies using 16 to 24 grams per day, but one small double-blind trial found no effect of either 15 or 30 grams per day in patients with high cholesterol.
|
2 Stars
Copper
3 to 4 mg daily
|
Copper deficiency has been linked to high blood cholesterol, supplementing with it may correct a deficiency and lower cholesterol.
Deficiency of the trace mineral copper has been linked to high blood cholesterol. In a controlled trial, daily supplementation with 3 to 4 mg of
copper
for eight weeks decreased blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, in a group of people over 50 years of age.
|
2 Stars
Cranberry
500 mg three times per day after meals
|
Supplementing with a cranberry extract has been shown to help lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes taking hypoglycemic medication.
In a double-blind trial, supplementation with a cranberry extract (500 mg three times per day after meals) for 12 weeks significantly lowered serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels compared with placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking oral hypoglycemic medication. |
2 Stars
Garlic
600 to 900 mg a day of a standardized herbal extract
|
Taking garlic may help lower cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries.
Reports on many double-blind
garlic
trials performed through 1998 suggested that cholesterol was lowered by an average of 9 to 12% and triglycerides by 8 to 27% over a one-to-four month period. Most of these trials used 600 to 900 mg per day of garlic supplements. More recently, however, several double-blind trials have found garlic to have minimal success in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. One negative trial has been criticized for using a steam-distilled garlic "oil" that has no track record for this purpose, while the others used the same standardized garlic products as the previous positive trials. Based on these findings, the use of garlic should not be considered a primary approach to lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides.Part of the confusion may result from differing effects from dissimilar garlic products. In most but not all trials, aged garlic extracts and garlic oil (both containing no allicin) have not lowered cholesterol levels in humans. Therefore, neither of these supplements can be recommended at this time for cholesterol lowering. Odor-controlled, enteric-coated tablets standardized for allicin content are available and, in some trials, appear more promising. Doctors typically recommend 900 mg per day (providing 5,000 to 6,000 mcg of allicin), divided into two or three admininstrations.
|
2 Stars
Green Tea
3 cups daily
|
Green tea has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels and improve people's cholesterol profile.
Green tea has been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels according to several preliminary and controlled trials. However, not all trials have found that green tea intake lowers lipid levels. Much of the research documenting the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically drunk in Asian countries—about three cups per day, providing 240 to 320 mg of polyphenols. |
2 Stars
Green Tea Enriched with Theaflavins
75 mg of theaflavins, 150 mg of green tea catechins, and 150 mg of other tea polyphenols daily
|
An extract of green tea, enriched with a compound present in black tea (theaflavins), has been found to lower serum cholesterol in people with moderately high cholesterol levels.
An extract of green tea, enriched with a compound present in black tea (theaflavins), has been found to lower serum cholesterol in a double-blind study of people with moderately high cholesterol levels. The average reduction in total serum cholesterol during the 12-week study was 11.3%, and the average reduction in LDL cholesterol was 16.4%. The extract used in this study provided daily 75 mg of theaflavins, 150 mg of green tea catechins, and 150 mg of other tea polyphenols.
|
2 Stars
Guggul
25 mg guggulsterones three times per day
|
Guggul appears to be helpful in lowering cholesterol and raising HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Guggul
, a mixture of substances taken from a plant, is an approved treatment for elevated cholesterol in India and has been a mainstay of the
Ayurvedic
approach to preventing
atherosclerosis
. One double-blind trial studying the effects of guggul reported that serum cholesterol dropped by 17.5%. In another double-blind trial comparing guggul to the drug
clofibrate
, the average fall in serum cholesterol was slightly greater in the guggul group; moreover, HDL cholesterol rose in 60% of people responding to guggul, while clofibrate did not elevate HDL. A third double-blind trial found significant changes in total and LDL cholesterol levels, but not in HDL. However, in another double-blind trial, supplementation with guggul for eight weeks had no effect on total serum cholesterol, but significantly increased LDL-cholesterol levels, compared with a placebo. Daily intakes of guggul are based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. The recommended amount of guggulsterones is 25 mg taken three times per day. Most extracts contain 5 to 10% guggulsterones, and doctors familiar with their use usually recommend taking guggul for at least 12 weeks before evaluating its effect.
|
2 Stars
Inositol Hexaniacinate (Vitamin B3)
500 to 1,000 mg of inositol hexaniacinate three times daily under medical supervision
|
Inositol hexaniacinate, a special form of vitamin B3, has been reported to lower serum cholesterol, and apparently without the toxicity of high levels of niacin.
In an attempt to avoid the side effects of niacin, alternative health practitioners increasingly use
inositol hexaniacinate
, recommending 500 to 1,000 mg, taken three times per day, instead of niacin. This special form of niacin has been reported to lower serum cholesterol but so far has not been found to cause significant toxicity. Unfortunately, compared with niacin, far fewer investigations have studied the possible positive or negative effects of inositol hexaniacinate. As a result, people using inositol hexaniacinate should not take it without the supervision of a doctor, who will evaluate whether it is helpful (by measuring cholesterol levels) and will make sure that toxicity is not occurring (by measuring liver
enzymes
, uric acid and glucose levels, and by taking medical history and doing physical examinations).
|
2 Stars
Krill Oil
1 to 3 grams krill oil daily
|
In one study of people with high cholesterol or triglycerides, supplementing with krill oil lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increased HDL-cholesterol.
In a double-blind study of people with elevated blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, supplementing with 1 to 3 grams per day of krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) for three months decreased total and LDL cholesterol levels and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Krill oil was significantly more effective than either a placebo or small amounts of regular
fish oil
containing 900 mg per day of omega-3 fatty acids.
|
2 Stars
Royal Jelly
50 to 100 mg daily
|
Supplementing with royal jelly may lower cholesterol levels.
Royal jelly
has prevented the cholesterol-elevating effect of nicotine and has lowered serum cholesterol in animal studies. Preliminary human trials have also found that royal jelly may lower cholesterol levels. An analysis of cholesterol-lowering trials shows that 50 to 100 mg per day is the typical amount used in such research.
|
2 Stars
Tocotrienols
200 mg daily
|
Tocotrienols may lower cholesterol levels. Tocotrienols inhibited cholesterol synthesis in test-tube studies, and two trials found that tocotrienols reduced cholesterol levels by 13–15%.
Tocotrienols , a group of food-derived compounds that resemble vitamin E , may lower blood levels of cholesterol, but evidence is conflicting. Although tocotrienols inhibited cholesterol synthesis in test-tube studies, human trials have produced contradictory results. Two double-blind trials found that 200 mg per day of either gamma-tocotrienol or total tocotrienols were more effective than placebo, reducing cholesterol levels by 13–15%. However, in another double-blind trial, 200 mg of tocotrienols per day failed to lower cholesterol levels, and a fourth double-blind trial found 140 mg of tocotrienols and 80 mg of vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) daily resulted in no changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol levels. |
1 Star
Alfalfa
Refer to label instructions
|
Saponins in alfalfa seeds may block cholesterol absorption and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Animal studies indicate that saponins in alfalfa seeds may block absorption of cholesterol and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. However, consuming the large amounts of alfalfa seeds (80 to 120 grams per day) needed to supply high doses of these saponins may potentially cause damage to red blood cells in the body. |
1 Star
Chitosan
Refer to label instructions
|
Chitosan is a fiber-like supplement that has been shown to lower cholesterol and raise HDL ("good") cholesterol).
The fiber -like supplement chitosan appears to reduce the absorption of bile acids or cholesterol; either of these effects may cause a lowering of blood cholesterol. This effect has been repeatedly demonstrated in animals, and a preliminary human study showed that 3 to 6 grams per day of chitosan taken for two weeks resulted in a 6% drop in cholesterol and a 10% increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol. Another preliminary trial showed a 43% lowering of total cholesterol in people being treated for kidney failure with dialysis who took 4 grams per day of chitosan for 12 weeks. These people also appeared to have improved kidney function and less severe anemia after chitosan treatment. In a double-blind trial, however, administration of 2.4 grams of chitosan per day for three months to people with high cholesterol had no effect on their cholesterol levels. Another study also found no cholesterol-lowering effect of chitosan when taken in amounts up to 6.75 grams per day for 8 weeks. Chitosan in large amounts, given with vitamin C , has been shown to reduce dietary fat absorption in animals fed a high-fat diet. However, the absorption of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins was also reduced by feeding animals large amounts of chitosan. In studies in humans, chitosan did not reduce the absorption of dietary fat. |
1 Star
Chondroitin Sulfate
Refer to label instructions
|
Chondroitin sulfate has lowered serum cholesterol levels in preliminary trials.
Chondroitin sulfate
has lowered serum cholesterol levels in preliminary trials. Years ago, this supplement dramatically reduced the risk of heart attacks in a controlled, six-year follow-up of people with
heart disease
. The few doctors aware of these older clinical trials sometimes tell people with a history of heart disease or elevated cholesterol levels, to take approximately 500 mg of chondroitin sulfate three times per day.
|
1 Star
Creatine Monohydrate
Refer to label instructions
|
One trial found that supplementing with creatine significantly lowered serum total cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol.
A double-blind trial found that 20 grams per day of
creatine
taken for five days, followed by ten grams per day for 51 days, significantly lowered serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, but did not change either LDL or HDL cholesterol, in both men and women. However, another double-blind trial found no change in any of these blood levels in trained athletes using creatine during a 12-week strength training program. Creatine supplementation in this negative trial was lower—only 5 grams per day were taken for the last 11 weeks of the study.
|
1 Star
Fo-Ti
Refer to label instructions
|
Preliminary Chinese research has found that high doses of the herb fo-ti may lower cholesterol levels.
Preliminary Chinese research has found that high doses (12 grams per day) of the herb fo-ti may lower cholesterol levels. Double-blind or other controlled trials are needed to determine fo-ti's use in lowering cholesterol. A tea may be made from processed roots by boiling 3 to 5 grams in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Three or more cups should be drunk each day. Fo-ti tablets containing 500 mg each are also available. Doctors may suggest taking five of these tablets three times per day. |
1 Star
L-Carnitine
Refer to label instructions
|
Some preliminary trials report that L-carnitine reduces serum cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol.
L-carnitine
is needed by heart muscle to utilize fat for energy. Some, but not all, preliminary trials report that carnitine reduces serum cholesterol. HDL cholesterol has also increased in response to carnitine supplementation. People have been reported in controlled research to stand a greater chance of surviving a heart attack if they are given L-carnitine supplements. Most trials have used 1 to 4 grams of carnitine per day.
|
1 Star
Lecithin (Phosphatidyl Choline)
Refer to label instructions
|
Taking lecithin supplements may be a useful way to lower cholesterol.
Although
lecithin
has been reported to increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol, a review of the research found that the positive effect of lecithin was likely due to the polyunsaturated fat content of the lecithin. If this is so, it would make more sense to use inexpensive vegetable oil, rather than take lecithin supplements. However, an animal study found a cholesterol-lowering effect of lecithin independent of its polyunsaturate content. A double-blind trial found that 20 grams of soy lecithin per day for four weeks had no significant effect on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or
triglycerides
. Whether taking lecithin supplements is a useful way to lower cholesterol in people with elevated cholesterol levels remains unclear.
|
1 Star
Magnesium
Refer to label instructions
|
In a preliminary study, magnesium supplementation lowered total cholesterol and increased HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.
Magnesium
is needed by the heart to function properly. Although the mechanism is unclear, magnesium supplements (430 mg per day) lowered cholesterol in a preliminary trial. Another preliminary study reported that magnesium deficiency is associated with a low HDL cholesterol level. Intravenous magnesium has reduced death following heart attacks in some, but not all, clinical trials. Though these outcomes would suggest that people with high cholesterol levels should take magnesium supplements, an isolated double-blind trial reported that people with a history of heart disease assigned to magnesium supplementation experienced an increased number of heart attacks. More information is necessary before the scientific community can clearly evaluate the role magnesium should play for people with elevated cholesterol.
|
1 Star
Maitake
Refer to label instructions
|
The mushroom maitake may lower fat levels in the blood and be useful in lowering cholesterol.
Animal studies suggest that the mushroom
maitake
may lower fat levels in the blood. This research is still preliminary and requires confirmation with controlled human trials.
|
1 Star
Policosanol
Refer to label instructions
|
Policosanol may affect cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol production by the liver but most research has casted doubt on its effectiveness.
Test tube and animal studies indicate that
policosanol
is capable of inhibiting cholesterol production by the liver. Extensive preliminary and double-blind research in Cuba and other countries in Latin America has demonstrated that taking 10 to 20 mg per day of policosanol extracted from sugar cane results in significant changes in blood cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol (17 to 21% lower on average), LDL cholesterol (21 to 29% lower), and HDL cholesterol (7 to 29% higher). However, virtually all of this research was conducted by a single research group from Cuba. Follow-up double-blind studies performed in the United States, Canada, Italy, and Germany found that sugar cane-derived policosanol in amounts of 10 to 80 mg per day taken for 12 weeks had no effect on serum cholesterol levels in people with initially high cholesterol levels. Therefore, it seems doubtful that policosanol has a beneficial effect on serum cholesterol levels.
|
1 Star
Pycnogenol
150 mg per day
|
Preliminary research suggests that Pycnogenol may lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol in people with normal cholesterol levels.
A preliminary study reported that 150 mg per day of Pycnogenol lowered LDL cholesterol and raised HDL cholesterol in two-thirds of a group of people with normal cholesterol levels. Double-blind research is needed to confirm these findings.
|
1 Star
Sea Buckthorn
Refer to label instructions
|
Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids and essential fatty acids that may influence blood cholesterol according to animal and preliminary human research.
Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids and essential fatty acids that may influence blood cholesterol according to animal and preliminary human research. In a double-blind trial, people with normal blood cholesterol who consumed 28 grams per day of pureed sea buckthorn berries for three months experienced no change in their blood cholesterol. Similarly, a double-blind trial of 300 ml per day of sea buckthorn berry juice found no cholesterol-lowering effect in people with normal blood cholesterol. Double-blind studies of people with high cholesterol are needed to determine whether sea buckthorn is an effective treatment for this condition.
|
1 Star
Selenium
Refer to label instructions
|
A double-blind trial found that, in people with moderately elevated cholesterol levels, supplementing with selenium in the form of high-selenium yeast resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease in serum cholesterol.
In a double-blind trial, supplementation with selenium (100 or 200 mcg per day) in the form of high-selenium yeast for six months resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease in serum cholesterol levels, compared with a placebo, in people with moderately elevated cholesterol levels. Selenium in the amount of 300 mcg per day was resulted in a smaller decrease in cholesterol levels that was not statistically significant. High-selenium yeast contains one or more unique selenium-containing compounds that are not present in other selenium supplements. Additional research is therefore needed to determine whether other forms of selenium also lower cholesterol levels.
|
1 Star
Vitamin E
Refer to label instructions
|
In one trial, supplementing with vitamin E increased levels of protective HDL cholesterol.
In one double-blind trial,
vitamin E
increased protective HDL cholesterol, but several other trials, found no effect of vitamin E. However, vitamin E is known to protect LDL cholesterol from damage. Most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL increases the risk of heart disease. Studies of the ability of vitamin E supplements to prevent
heart disease
have produced conflicting results, but many doctors continue to recommend that everyone supplement 400 IU of vitamin E per day to lessen the risk of having a
heart attack
.
|
1 Star
Wild Yam
Refer to label instructions
|
Wild yam has been reported to raise HDL ("good") cholesterol in preliminary research.
Wild yam has been reported to raise HDL cholesterol in preliminary research. Doctors sometimes recommend 2 to 3 ml of tincture taken three to four times per day, or 1 to 2 capsules or tablets of dried root taken three times per day. |
References
1. Reaven PD, McPhillips JB, Barrett-Connor EL, Criqui MH. Leisure time exercise and lipid and lipoprotein levels in an older population. J Am Geriatr Soc 1990;38:847-54.
2. Duncan JJ, Gordon NF, Scott CB. Women walking for health and fitness—how much is enough? JAMA 1991;266:3295-9.
3. Tran ZV, Weltman A. Differential effects of exercise on serum lipid and lipoprotein levels seen with changes in body weight: a meta-analysis. JAMA 1985;254:919-24.
4. Pekkanen J, Marti B, Nissinen A, Tuomilehto J. Reduction of premature mortality by high physical activity: a 20-year follow-up of middle-aged Finnish men. Lancet 1987;1:1473-7.
5. Willich SN, Lewis M, Lowel H, et al. Physical exertion as a trigger of acute myocardial infarction. Triggers and Mechanisms of Myocardial Infarction Study Group. N Engl J Med 1993;329:1684-90.
6. Hubert HB, Feinleib M, McNamara PM, Castelli WP. Obesity as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease: a 26-year follow-up of participants in the Framingham Heart Study. Circulation 1983;67:968-77.
7. Glueck CJ, Taylor HL, Jacobs D, et al. Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: association with measurements of body mass: the Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study. Circulation 1980;62(Suppl IV):IV62-9.
8. Di Buono M, Hannah JS, Katzel LI, Jones PJH. Weight loss due to energy restriction suppresses cholesterol bioshynthesis in overweight, mildly hypercholesterolemic men. J Nutr 1999;129:1545-8.
9. Wood PD, Stefanick ML, Dreon DM, et al. Changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins in overweight men during weight loss through dieting as compared with exercise. N Engl J Med 1988;319:1173-9.
10. Dwyer JH, Rieger-Ndakorerwa GE, Semmer NK, et al. Low-level cigarette smoking and longitudinal change in serum cholesterol among adolescents. JAMA 1988;2857-62.
11. Khosla S, Laddu A, Ehrenpreis S, Somberg JC. Cardiovascular effects of nicotine: relation to deleterious effects of cigarette smoking. Am Heart J 1994;127:1669-71 [editorial/review].
12. Nyboe J, Jensen G, Appleyard M, Schnohr P. Smoking and the risk of first acute myocardial infarction. Am Heart J 1991;122:438.
13. Kawachi I, Sparrow D, Spiro A 3rd, et al. A prospective study of anger and coronary heart disease. The Normative Aging Study. Circulation 1996;94:2090-5.
14. Jiang W, Babyak M, Krantz DS, et al. Mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia and cardiac events. JAMA 1996;275:1651-6.
15. Bower B. Women take un-type A behavior to heart. Sci News 1993;144:244.
16. Dimsdale JE. A perspective on type A behavior and coronary disease. N Engl J Med 1988;318:110-2 [editorial].
17. McCann BS, Warnick R, Knopp RH. Changes in plasma lipids and dietary intake accompanying shifts in perceived workload and stress. Psychosomatic Med 1990;52:97-108.
18. Lundberg U, Hedman M, Melin B, Frankenhaeuser M. Type A Behavior in healthy males and females as related to physiological reactivity and blood lipids. Psychosomatic Med 1989;51:113-22.
19. Friedman M, Thoresen CE, Gill JJ, et al. Alteration of type A behavior and reduction in cardiac recurrences in postmyocardial infarction patients. Am Heart J 1984;108:237-48.
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Last Review: 06-08-2015

Copyright © 2020 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learn more about TraceGains, the company.
The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2020.