Lower cholesterol supplements
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Lower Cholesterol Supplements: An Overview
Introduction to Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements
Cholesterol management is crucial for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). While statins are commonly prescribed, many individuals seek alternative or complementary options through dietary supplements. This article explores various supplements that have been studied for their cholesterol-lowering effects.
Red Yeast Rice: A Potent Cholesterol Reducer
Red yeast rice has been shown to significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. In a study involving 83 hyperlipidemic subjects, those treated with red yeast rice experienced a notable decrease in total cholesterol from 6.57 mmol/L to 5.38 mmol/L over 8 weeks, compared to the placebo group2. This supplement offers a promising food-based approach to managing cholesterol levels.
Naringin: Enhancing Antioxidant Enzyme Activities
Naringin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, has demonstrated lipid-lowering effects. In hypercholesterolemic subjects, naringin supplementation reduced total cholesterol by 14% and LDL cholesterol by 17% over an 8-week period3. Additionally, it enhanced erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities, suggesting a dual benefit of lowering cholesterol and improving antioxidant capacity.
Vitamin C: Effective in Reducing LDL and Triglycerides
Vitamin C supplementation has been found to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. A meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials revealed that a daily intake of at least 500 mg of vitamin C for a minimum of 4 weeks resulted in a reduction of LDL cholesterol by 7.9 mg/dL and triglycerides by 20.1 mg/dL4. However, the effect on HDL cholesterol was not significant.
Plant Sterols and Stanols: Comparable to Food-Based Approaches
Plant sterols and stanols are well-documented for their LDL-cholesterol-lowering effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that plant sterol/stanol supplements reduced LDL cholesterol by 12 mg/dL, similar to the reduction achieved through sterol/stanol-enriched foods5. Another study confirmed that unesterified plant sterols and stanols lowered LDL cholesterol by 11.3% to 16.0% in hypercholesterolemic individuals6.
Capsaicinoids: Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Agents
Capsaicinoids, found in chili peppers, have shown potential in lowering cholesterol levels. A meta-analysis of controlled human trials concluded that capsaicinoid supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels9. This suggests that capsaicinoids could be a novel dietary intervention for managing cholesterol.
Strawberries: Enhancing Antioxidant Effects in Cholesterol-Lowering Diets
Strawberries have been studied for their antioxidant properties and their role in cholesterol management. In a study with hyperlipidemic subjects, strawberry supplementation reduced oxidative damage to LDL and maintained reductions in LDL cholesterol levels10. This indicates that adding strawberries to a cholesterol-lowering diet can enhance its overall effectiveness and palatability.
Conclusion
Various dietary supplements, including red yeast rice, naringin, vitamin C, plant sterols/stanols, capsaicinoids, and strawberries, have demonstrated significant cholesterol-lowering effects. These supplements offer alternative or complementary options for individuals seeking to manage their cholesterol levels through non-prescription means. Further research and personalized medical advice are recommended to determine the most suitable supplement for individual needs.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
MRC/BHF Heart Protection Study of cholesterol-lowering therapy and of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in a wide range of patients at increased risk of coronary heart disease death: early safety and efficacy experience.
Cholesterol-lowering therapy and antioxidant vitamin supplementation show potential in reducing coronary heart disease mortality and major morbidity in high-risk patients.
RCT
Large Human Trial
Highly CitedCholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement.
Red yeast rice significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total triacylglycerol concentrations compared to placebo, offering a novel food-based approach to lowering cholesterol in the general population.
RCTHighly CitedNaringin supplementation lowers plasma lipids and enhances erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
Naringin supplementation lowers plasma cholesterol and enhances erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in hypercholesterolemic subjects without affecting healthy controls.
RCTHighly CitedVitamin C supplementation lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials.
Vitamin C supplementation for at least 4 weeks can significantly decrease LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but not HDL cholesterol, in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedCholesterol-lowering efficacy of plant sterols/stanols provided in capsule and tablet formats: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Plant sterol/stanol supplements effectively lower LDL-cholesterol levels as effectively as foods enriched with plant sterols/stanols.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedUnesterified plant sterols and stanols lower LDL-cholesterol concentrations equivalently in hypercholesterolemic persons.
Unesterified plant sterols and stanols effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic individuals by suppressing cholesterol absorption.
RCTHighly CitedThe Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Plant Sterols on Total and LDL-Cholesterol in Plasma Is Affected by Adherence to Mediterranean Diet: Insights from the DESCO Randomized Clinical Study
Dietary supplementation with phytosterols significantly lowers plasma levels of total, LDL-C, and Apo B-100, with greater effects in individuals adhering to a Mediterranean diet.
RCTRole of dietary supplements in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a review.
Dietary supplements with proven LDL-C-lowering effects can be a safe and effective alternative to statin therapy for reducing coronary heart disease risk.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedDietary supplementation of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel agonists reduces serum total cholesterol level: a meta-analysis of controlled human trials
Dietary capsaicinoid supplementation significantly reduces serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in humans.
Meta-AnalysisThe effect of strawberries in a cholesterol-lowering dietary portfolio.
Strawberry supplementation in a cholesterol-lowering diet reduces oxidative damage to LDL, maintains blood lipid reductions, and enhances diet palatability.
RCTHighly Cited