Top 10 Natural Cholesterol Lowering Supplements

• High cholesterol is the leading cause of atherosclerosis.
• High cholesterol can cause narrowing of the arteries and a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks, having too much in your diet can lead to other problems as well.
• Supplements range from garlic to flaxseed.

By now you probably know all about the dangers of having high cholesterol. Besides being the leading cause of arthrosclerosis which can cause narrowing of the arteries and a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks, having too much in your diet can lead to other problems as well. If your numbers are too high, you might want to consider these natural cholesterol lowering supplements.

10. Garlic

While the benefits of taking garlic as a cholesterol lowering supplement are not completely consistent from study to study, taking 200 to 400 milligrams three times per day could lower your numbers. Don’t take with any medication that thins your blood.

9. Fish Oil

The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have long been known to provide a wide-range of health benefits, including lowering your total triglyceride levels. You need only 3 to 4 milligrams per day. Some people complain of side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, so you may need to stop if these occur.

8. Artichoke Extract

Whether you’re a fan of artichokes or not, this supplement to lower cholesterol may be able to cut your numbers. You’ll want to take about 900 milligrams twice a day. Do not take this supplement if you’re known to have allergic reactions to artichoke, however.

7. Sitostanol

Today, you can easily find Sitostanol supplements as ingredients in margarine that promises to lower cholesterol. That’s an easy way to take in a supplement. You can also take the supplement alone. In the latter case, you’ll need about 800 milligrams per day to see results. If you’re taking the margarine route, use between 4 and 5 teaspoons daily.

6. Guggulipid

This unusual-sounding named supplement is a gum resin from a myrrh tree and has been promoted for a number of different health benefits. Some studies were done in India on the product which did show reduction in both LDL and TC (total cholesterol) numbers.

5. Flaxseed

If your main concern is your triglyceride number, flaxseed may be the answer. You can combine this supplement with your morning cereal or yogurt so you don’t have to taste it. Remember to consume between 40 and 50 grams daily.

4. Barley

One of the best choices for cholesterol lowering supplements is barley because it has no side effects. Plus, you can take it as either an oil extract (3 grams per day) or as barley flour (30 grams daily). The supplement should work on both LDL and TC numbers.

3. Psyllium

This type of soluble fiber has been shown to help reduce cholesterol numbers. You can find it most easily in products such as Metamucil. You’ll need to take about ten grams a day but studies have shown an LDL decrease of 6 to 20% and a TC decrease of 4 to 15%.

2. Phytosterol

This has become one of the most popular cholesterol supplements because it has been added to a wide range of consumer products, including orange juice and margarine. Reports have shown that using this supplement in any of its forms may be able to lower your LDL levels.

1. Cholestin

This supplement made from red yeast rice was shown to effectively lower cholesterol levels by up to 20% in Chinese studies. However, the supplement is not available in the United States because the FDA claims the supplements contains the same ingredient as a prescription drug that is on the market. If you can red yeast rice instead, consider giving it a try to reap some of the benefits.

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