Cholesterol Vitamins – Do They Exist?

• Part 2: 5 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Reducing Cholesterol

• Cholesterol vitamins are available and can be helpful in reducing high cholesterol levels which helps prevent you from developing atherosclerosis or heart disease
• B Vitamins, such as niacin, folic acid and B12, are some of the best cholesterol supplements to take as part of your diet
• Niacin works to increase HDL cholesterol levels and regulate triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. Vitamin C can also increase your levels of HDL cholesterol

Fighting high cholesterol is a hot topic. If you’re numbers are high, getting them down to a normal level should be a top priority for your health. While diet and exercise are going to be two of the most important recommendations to follow, you might be wondering if there is something else you can do to help improve your numbers faster. The answer is cholesterol vitamins. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best ones you can add to your regular routine to complement your other cholesterol lowering activities.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

One of the best cholesterol vitamins is Vitamin 3. A form of this vitamin known as nicotinic has been shown through research to have positive benefits for cholesterol numbers. If you take the compound in large enough doses, you can see a reduction in your LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. You can also increase your HDL cholesterol which is definitely a good thing, too. However, you shouldn’t begin taking niacin without first consulting your physician. Taking too much of this vitamin can have harmful effects so your doctor can help you decide how much is enough.

Vitamin B12

Some research has shown that Vitamin B12 taken daily can reduce cholesterol levels and provide some cardiovascular health benefits, including a reduction in the risk of developing atherosclerosis. This important nutrient can also help fight back against fatigue and can ensure healthy blood cells. The problem is the foods richest in this vitamin can be the highest in saturated fat which is bad for cholesterol. That means you can either choose a supplement or you can pick the leanest meats, including chicken and fish, and reduced fat dairy products to give you enough of this vitamin in your diet.

Folic Acid

Another of these important cholesterol vitamins is folic acid. You shouldn’t have too much trouble increasing your intake of folic acid. Not only can you find it in plenty of vegetables and legumes but it has also been added to any grain products made in the United States, including breads and pasta. Some research has shown that folic acid can help reduce one of the markers of potential heart disease and can have some positive heart health benefits, especially when paired with sufficient levels of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin C

While most of the vitamins listed above focus on lowering your bad cholesterol levels, some evidence suggests that Vitamin C can actually increase your HDL levels. A study at Tufts University that included more than 130 patients showed that HDL cholesterol levels increased, on average, 7% when patients were taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C daily for eight months. You don’t necessarily need to take a supplement either. You can get the Vitamin C you need just by increasing your intake of produce, such as strawberries, citrus fruits, cauliflower, and green leafy vegetables. Other studies have also confirmed a correlation between a high intake of Vitamin C and a high level of HDL cholesterol in the blood, as well as the reverse.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.