If you're worried about your cholesterol and have already started exercising and eating healthier foods, you might wonder if adding a cholesterol-lowering supplement to your diet can help reduce your numbers. Although few natural products have been proven to reduce cholesterol, some might be helpful. With your doctor's OK, consider these cholesterol-lowering supplements and products.
What are the cholesterol treatment steps you need to take to get your cholesterol in the proper balance?
Perform a liver and colon cleanse
Exercise, exercise, exercise
Reduce sharp spikes in your blood sugar level through proper diet choice and eating smaller meals regularly.
Eat foods that lower cholesterol and avoid foods that increase cholesterol
Natural Prescription #1 Policosanol
Take 10 to 20 mg each evening. Numerous studies show that policosanol reduces total and LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and increases the good HDL cholesterol.
Policosanol is an all-natural compound derived from sugarcane wax that is believed to help support healthy cholesterol levels in two different ways: by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver and by reducing platelet aggregation, or "stickiness" that can lead to blood clots and cardiovascular issues.
Because of its potential blood-thinning effects (similar to aspirin), policosanol is not recommended for individuals taking blood-thinning medications (such as Coumadin) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen.
Natural Prescription #2 Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus)
Take 1,200 mg twice daily. This extract has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and increase HDL. The type of product used in successful studies contained 10 to 13.5 mg of monacolins per day. Note: Take 100 mg of CoQ10 daily when using this product.
Do not use red yeast rice to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
Do not use red yeast rice dietary supplements if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or are nursing a baby. If you are considering giving a child a red yeast rice dietary supplement, it is important to consult the child’s health care provider.
Do not take red yeast rice in addition to prescription statin drugs.
Red Yeast Rice
Red Yeast Rice
Natural Prescription #3 Garlic (Allium sativum)
Take 300 to 500 mg twice of aged garlic daily. It reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol.
Natural Prescription #4 Niacin (inositol hexaniacinate, or IP6)
Take 1,500 to 3,000 mg daily of the no-flush form (inositol hexaniacinate). It reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol. Slo-Niacin Polygel Controlled-Release Niacin, 500 mg, 100 Tablets
Super Prescription #5 Fish oil
Take a daily dosage of a fish oil product containing at least 480 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA. Fish oil reduces inflammation in the arteries and lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Fish Oil Enteric Coated High Potency 90 Count
vital choice salmon oil
Super Prescription #6 Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
Take a daily total of 1,500 mg standardized to 5 percent guggulsterone (equivalent to 75 mg of guggulsterones). Guggul, an Ayurvedic herb, reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL. A twelve-week study demonstrated that 1,500 mg of guggulipid reduced total cholesterol by an average of 22 percent and triglycerides by 25 percent. A different study of 233 people with elevated cholesterol levels showed that Guggul worked better than the cholesterol-lowering drug clofibrate. Only people who took Guggul had improvements in HDL cholesterol.
Himalaya Pure Herbs Guggul, Cholesterol Support, 7.5 mg Guggulsterone, 60 Vegetarian Capsules, (Pack of 2)
Natural Prescription #7 Antioxidant formula
Take a complex of antioxidants or a multivitamin, as directed on container. Several of the antioxidants prevent cholesterol oxidation.
Acai berries are among the very best sources of naturally-occurring plant sterols and stanols
Plant sterols in blueberry bind to receptors to decrease free cholesterol in the blood;
Green tea contains compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are 40 times stronger than vitamins C and E in their ability to mop up free radical damage all over your body - but especially in your cardiovascular system. The polyphenols in green tea help slow the absorption of extra triglycerides in the blood. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition states that green tea can reduce triglycerides as much as 20%.
Gingko biloba has been traditionally used to lower blood cholesterol for centuries; it has also been used to help lower blood pressure.
Privita
contains Pomegranate and Green Tea (antioxidant as well as plant sterols)Acai/Resveratrol/Macqui- contains Green Tea, grapeseed and Acai (antioxidant as well as plant sterols)
Rhodigandha contains Pomegranate, Acai and Blueberry (antioxidant as well as plant sterols)
Green Cell Therapy
Contains spinach, red yeast rice, Flaxseed, Coenzyme Q10 and alfalfa (antioxidant, heart health as well as plant sterols)Octovite
- contains Vitamin C and E,fish oil, NAC, gingko biloba, rutin, lycopene, lutein, bilberry, goldensealNatural Prescription #8 Plant Sterols
Blood cholesterol is derived from the diet and synthesized in the liver. Plant sterols are naturally occurring plant compounds that have structures similar to, yet slightly different from cholesterol. Typical plant sterols are compounds such as Beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol and can be found in vegetables, fruits. legumes, nuts, grains and certain oils. Research has shown that these compounds compete with the absorption of dietary cholesterol as well as inhibit the reabsorption of endogenous cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementation with plant sterols can significantly lower cholesterol levels and have been shown to work synergistically with other therapies for lowering cholesterol. Numerous foods including orange juice, rice drink, and margarine now incorporate plant sterols, or sterol esters. lncreasingly, dietary supplements are now incorporating plant sterols and using the health claim that has been allowed for products containing at least 800 mg of plant sterols daily. The real catch, however, is that plant sterols appear to be most effective in dosages of one to two grams per day. The average American, according to Udo Erasmus, Ph.D., and author of Choosing Healthy Fats, gets a paltry 200 milligrams of plant sterols per day. A typical vegetarian diet contains roughly 350 milligrams per day. Even the most sterol-rich diet in the world, the Japanese, includes only about 400 milligrams on a daily basis. In short, says Judd, you “can’t even come close” to consuming enough plant sterols to have a significant impact on your LDL cholesterol through natural foods alone.
Nature Made Cholest-Off 240 Caplets (Cholest Off )
Benecol Smart Chews-Caramel-120 ct (Quantity of 2)
Imagine Rice Dream Drink, Heartwise Vanilla, 32-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)
Natural Prescription #9 Sytrinol
Sytrinol is a unique and powerful ingredient for maintaining cholesterol and triglycerides. It is a patented combination of citrus PMFs (polymethoxylated flavones) and alpha, delta and gamma tocotrienols derived from palm fruit (U.S. patents #6,251,400, and #6,239,114). Clinical studies in both animals and humans support Sytrinol's role in reducing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol as well as triglycerides.
Its action includes
1) Decreases apolipoprotein B which is needed for LDL cholesterol synthesis
2) Decreases action of an enzyme in the liver that makes triglycerides
3) Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, the enzyme responsible for regulating cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Sytrinol provides a patented and well-researched combination of flavonoids derived from the peel of tangerines and tocotrienols derived from palm. Within the peel of certain fruits, compounds belonging to a class of flavonoids called polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) can be found.
Sytrinol, 60 softgels
Natural Prescription #10 Cardio- Edge
Cardio-Edge is a scientifically-based cardiovascular and cholesterol support with Sytrinol, plant sterols and pomegranate extract.
The combination of Sytrinol, plant sterols, and pomegranate extract present in Cardio-Edge results in a formula that embodies the most recent science to help maintain cardiovascular health and support healthy cholesterol levels.
Coupled with other nutrients that are well-known for their cardioprotective properties such as Coenzyme q-10, Vitamin B complex, and Omega 3 fatty acids, the addition of Sytrinol, pomegranate and plant sterols (Cardio-Edge) offer strong new weapons to help maintain optimal cardiovascular health.
Natural Prescription #11 HDL RX
HDL Rx is an all-inclusive formula combining essential vitamins and minerals, at levels recommended by the American Heart Association, with key amino acids, powerful antioxidants and traditional herbal extracts to provide superior support for cardiovascular health.
Clinically studied at Scripps Memorial Hospital (La Jolla, CA), HDL Rx has been shown to increase beneficial HDL levels up to 23% and increase HDL-2 (the best cholesterol) 50%. It also has been shown to reduce homocysteine and hsCRP levels and support healthy blood circulation. This is a 6 month study led by Dr. Goodman who has also designed the formulation of HDL Rx.
Natural Prescription #12 Colon and Liver Cleanse
A liver cleanse is an important part of a natural cholesterol treatment plan. Your liver creates 3 to 8 times the cholesterol that a normal diet contains. If you cut your cholesterol intake completely, you would still be getting 75% to 95% of the cholesterol you are getting today. Performing a liver cleanse will make your liver more efficient and effective at performing all its functions, including making cholesterol. Therefore, cleansing your liver is one of the best things you can do to regain balance of your cholesterol. Be sure to drink enough water to flush the cholesterol and eliminate the excess.
Acai Ultimate
Natural Prescription #13 Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an important antioxidant involved in cellular energy production, is made naturally by your body. In people with high cholesterol, levels of CoQ10 tend to be lower. In addition, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins appear to deplete natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. Therefore, some researchers think that taking a coenzyme Q10 supplement can be beneficial for those on statin medications.
COQ10 with Omega 3 Dietary Supplement, 60 softgels
NutriGold CoQ10, 100mg, 120 Softgels - High Absorption CoQ10 GOLD with Kaneka Q10
Natural Prescription #14 Lower Homocysteine Levels
Homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Some medical experts predict that homocysteine levels will prove to be as important as cholesterol in predicting heart health.
In fact, they expect measuring homocysteine levels will become a part of regular cardiac risk assessments.
B6, B12 and folate are useful in reducing homocysteine levels
Designs For Health - Homocysteine Supreme 120 count capsules
Pure Encapsulations - Homocysteine Factors 180 vcaps
Activated Homocysteine Formula 60 Veg Caps by Swanson Ultra
Douglas Labs - B-Complex w/ Metafolin 60 vcaps
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus - 120 capsules
None of the statements in this web site have been evaluated by the FDA.
Furthermore, none of the statements in this web site should be construed as dispensing medical advise, or making claims regarding the cure of diseases.
You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre existing injuries or medical conditions.
