Millions of people experience high cholesterol levels, which is why we need to consider all the ways in which we can lower them – including supplements to lower cholesterol.
If diet and exercise alone aren’t helping to lower your cholesterol, you may be wondering what, if anything, will help before you start taking a prescription medication.
While diet and exercise are the first steps anyone trying to lower their cholesterol should take, it is worth considering a natural approach with supplements to lower cholesterol before taking any prescription medication.
Related: 9 Foods Guaranteed to Help Lower Cholesterol | What Causes High Cholesterol
Therefore, we’ve listed some of the best supplements to lower cholesterol.
In most cases, adding these supplements can help to lower your cholesterol when taken in the right amount.
1) Fiber
While a variety of foods contain fiber, unfortunately most of us still don’t get enough.
When it comes to your diet, eating a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains such as oats, whole wheat, flax seed, and barley will help lower your cholesterol as the fiber helps flush bad cholesterol.
However, if your diet isn’t cutting it, like most people, taking additional fiber through a supplement can definitely help.
In fact, some fiber supplements come in capsules while others are water-soluble that you mix with water or juice.
To illustrate, a 1999 Harvard Medical School study associates high soluble fiber consumption with reductions in bad (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol.
For each gram of soluble study participants consumed, levels of LDL cholesterol dropped about 2 points.
Health organizations recommend 25 grams of dietary fiber a day at a minimum.
Most of us fail to get even close to consuming that much fiber. Taking fiber supplements in moderation can help.
2) Fish Oil
Fish, avocados, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids.
These Omega-3s reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, cancer, and ADHD while also helping to reduce cholesterol.
Recommendations for daily doses of omega-3 are 1000 mg for adults with coronary heart disease, and for general health, two servings of fatty fish per week.
If you are at risk for heart disease or have high triglycerides, you may need more omega-3 than what you can obtain from diet alone.
If this is the case, most grocery stores have omega-3 supplements in the form of fish oil.
In clinical trials, results show that fish oil reduces triglyceride levels – the third component of total cholesterol – by 10 to 30 percent.
There is also a link between higher triglyceride levels and a higher risk for coronary heart disease.
3) Niacin
Niacin, a B vitamin found in meat, fish and dairy foods, has been shown to effectively reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and boost (good) HDL cholesterol.
And while many different foods contain it, a number of different supplements also provide the necessary amounts.
A 1970 study that lasted more than 6 years conducted on 1,100 people found niacin significantly decreased total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, but the most notable benefit comes with its effect on HDL (good) cholesterol.
Research has shown, Niacin helps to raise HDL cholesterol by up to 35%.
Niacin can easily be found in supplement form, and doctors usually recommend 1-3 grams of Niacin a day.
4) L-Arginine
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid the body can convert into the molecule nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide stimulates the relaxation of blood vessels, promoting improved blood flow.
L-arginine is found in dairy products, poultry and pork products, soybeans, chocolate, seafood, nuts and chickpeas.
While it’s used for lowering blood pressure, it’s also a powerful supplement to reduce cholesterol.
Studies have shown l-arginine lowers LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.
Experts recommend between 3 to 6 grams of l-arginine a day to help reduce cholesterol levels.
There’s no other supplement available that provides more support for your blood pressure than L-arginine Plus.
L-Arginine Plus for Best Results
Nothing works better for your heart health.
L-Arginine Plus dramatically increases nitric oxide production to help support healthy and stable blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Nitric oxide is proven to help relax and open narrow blood vessels.
L-Arginine Plus provides better blood flow for more energy, stronger immune system, and healthier and more stable cholesterol levels.
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Recommended: Get L-arginine Plus today for the Cholesterol Support You’re Looking for
Resources:
http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20295990,00.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-lowering-supplements/art-20050980