High Cholesterol | Health Notes at WWSM | Health Information at WWSM

High Cholesterol

Also indexed as: Dyslipidaemia, Dyslipidaemic Diet, Hypercholesterolaemia, Hypercholesterolemic Diet, Hyperlipoproteinaemia

Take control of your cholesterol to lower your heart disease risk. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:

Cut the bad fats
Foods that contain saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, and cholesterol (such as animal products, fried foods, and baked snacks) can raise cholesterol

Reduce risk with fibre
Add whole grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables to your meals to reduce heart disease risk

Get some supplemental garlic
600 to 900 mg a day of a standardised garlic extract may help lower cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries

Add soya protein to your diet
30 grams (about 1 ounce) a day of powdered soya protein added to food or drinks can help lower cholesterol

Check out natural vegetable fats (plant sterols and stanols)
Take 1.6 grams a day as a supplement or in specially fortified margarines to help reduce cholesterol

Raise “good” cholesterol with exercise
Start a regular exercise programme to help raise HDL cholesterol

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or chemist. Continue reading the full high cholesterol article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.

About high cholesterol

Although it is by no means the only major risk factor, elevated serum (blood) cholesterol is clearly associated with a high risk of heart disease.

Most doctors suggest cholesterol levels should stay under 200 mg/dl. As levels fall below 200, the risk of heart disease continues to decline. Many doctors consider cholesterol levels of no more than 180 to be optimal. A low cholesterol level, however, is not a guarantee of good heart health, as some people with low levels do suffer heart attacks.

Medical laboratories now subdivide total cholesterol measurement into a few components, including LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which is directly linked to heart disease, and HDL (“good”) cholesterol, which is protective. The relative amount of HDL to LDL is more important than total cholesterol. For example, it is possible for someone with very high HDL to be at relatively low risk for heart disease even with total cholesterol above 200. Evaluation of changes in cholesterol requires consultation with a healthcare professional and should include measurement of total serum cholesterol, as well as HDL and LDL cholesterol.

The following discussion is limited to information about lowering serum cholesterol levels or increasing HDL cholesterol using natural approaches. Because high cholesterol is linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease, people concerned about heart disease should also learn more about atherosclerosis.

Product ratings for high cholesterol

Science Ratings	Nutritional Supplements	Herbs
	Beta-glucan Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) Chromium/brewer’s yeast Fibre Glucomannan Sitostanol Soya Vitamin B3 (niacin only) (see toxicity warnings) Vitamin B5 (pantethine only) Vitamin C (protection of LDL cholesterol)	Fenugreek Psyllium Red yeast rice
	Beta-sitosterol Calcium Charcoal Copper Fish oil (krill oil) Inositol hexaniacinate Linseed (raw) Royal jelly Tocotrienols	Achillea wilhelmsii Artichoke Berberine Garlic Green tea Green tea (enriched with theaflavins) Guggul
	Chitosan Chondroitin sulphate Creatine monohydrate L-carnitine Lecithin Magnesium Policosanol Vitamin E	Alfalfa Fo-ti Maitake Wild yam
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. For a herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

What are the symptoms?

This condition does not produce symptoms. Therefore, it is prudent to visit a health professional on a regular basis to have cholesterol levels measured.

Dietary changes that may be helpful

Eating animal foods containing saturated fat is linked to high cholesterol levels¹ and heart disease.² Significant amounts of animal-based saturated fat are found in beef, pork, veal, poultry (particularly in poultry skins and dark meat), cheese, butter, ice cream, and all other forms of dairy products not labelled “fat free.” Avoiding consumption of these foods reduces cholesterol and has been reported to reverse even existing heart disease.³

Unlike other dairy foods, skimmed milk, non-fat yoghurt, and non-fat cheese are essentially fat-free. Dairy products labelled “low fat” are not particularly low in fat. A full 25% of calories in 2% milk come from fat. (The “2%” refers to the fraction of volume filled by fat, not the more important percentage of calories coming from fat.)

In addition to large amounts of saturated fat from animal-based foods, Americans eat small amounts of saturated fat from coconut and palm oils. Palm oil has been reported to elevate cholesterol.⁴ ⁵ Research regarding coconut oil is mixed, with some trials finding no link to heart disease,⁶ while other research reports that coconut oil elevates cholesterol levels.⁷ ⁸

Despite the links between saturated fat intake and serum cholesterol levels, not every person responds to appropriate dietary changes with a drop in cholesterol. A subgroup of people with elevated cholesterol who have what researchers call “large LDL particles” has been reported to have no response even to dramatic reductions in dietary fat.⁹ (LDL is the “bad” cholesterol most associated with an increased risk of heart disease.) This phenomenon is not understood. People who significantly reduce intake of animal fats for a few months but do not see significant a reduction in cholesterol levels should discuss other approaches to lowering cholesterol with a doctor.

Yoghurt, acidophilus milk, and kefir are fermented milk products that have been reported to lower cholesterol in most,¹⁰ ¹¹ ¹² ¹³ ¹⁴ ¹⁵ ¹⁶ but not all, double-blind and other controlled research.¹⁷ ¹⁸ ¹⁹ Until more is known, it makes sense for people with elevated cholesterol who consume these foods, to select non-fat varieties.

Eating fish has been reported to increase HDL cholesterol²⁰ and is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease in most,²¹ but not all, studies.²² Fish contains very little saturated fat, and fish oil contains EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids that appear to protect against heart disease.²³

Vegetarians have lower cholesterol²⁴ and less heart disease²⁵ than meat eaters, in part because they avoid animal fat. Vegans (people who eat no meat, dairy, or eggs) have the lowest cholesterol levels,²⁶ and switching from a standard diet to a vegan diet, along with other lifestyle changes, has been reported to reverse heart disease in controlled research.²⁷ ²⁸

Dietary cholesterol
Most dietary cholesterol comes from egg yolks. Eating eggs has increased serum cholesterol in most studies.²⁹ However, eating eggs does not increase serum cholesterol as much as eating foods high in saturated fat, and eating eggs may not increase serum cholesterol at all if the overall diet is low in fat.³⁰

Egg consumption does not appear to be totally safe, however, even for people consuming a low-fat diet. When cholesterol from eggs is cooked or exposed to air, it oxidizes. Oxidized cholesterol is linked to increased risk of heart disease.³¹ Eating eggs also makes LDL cholesterol more susceptible to damage, a change linked to heart disease.³²

Whether or not egg eaters are more likely to die from heart disease is a matter of controversy. In one preliminary study, egg eaters had a higher death rate from heart disease, even when serum cholesterol levels were not elevated.³³ However, another preliminary study found no evidence of an overall significant association between egg consumption, and risk of heart disease or stroke, except in people with diabetes.³⁴ Until more is known, limiting egg consumption may be a good idea, particularly for people with existing heart disease or diabetes.

While coconut oil is high in saturated fat, some evidence suggests it does not cause unhealthy changes in blood cholesterol levels compared with other saturated fats. In a controlled study of people with high cholesterol, coconut oil resulted in higher total and LDL cholesterol levels compared with safflower oil (a polyunsaturated oil), but lower levels compared with butter, while HDL levels were similar for all three diets.³⁵ Another controlled study compared coconut oil with rape seed oil,³⁶ and found that coconut oil raised total and LDL cholesterol in people with high cholesterol who were not taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, but did not affect these levels in people who were taking these drugs. HDL levels were not reported in this study.

Fibre
Soluble fibre from beans,³⁷ oats,³⁸ psyllium seed,³⁹ glucomannan, and fruit pectin⁴⁰ has lowered cholesterol levels in most trials.⁴¹ ⁴² Doctors often recommend that people with elevated cholesterol eat more of these high-soluble fibre foods. However, even grain fibre (which contains insoluble fibre and does not lower cholesterol) has been linked to protection against heart disease, though the reason for the protection remains unclear.⁴³ It makes sense for people wishing to lower their cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease to consume more fibre of all types. Some trials have used 20 grams of additional fibre per day for a few months to successfully lower cholesterol.⁴⁴ Psyllium has also been found to enhance the effect of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin.⁴⁵

Oat bran is rich in a soluble fibre called beta-glucan. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration passed a unique ruling that allowed oat bran to be registered as the first cholesterol-reducing food at an amount providing 3 grams of beta-glucan per day, although some evidence suggests this level may not be high enough to make a significant difference.⁴⁶ A few double-blind and other controlled trials have shown that oat bran⁴⁷ ⁴⁸ ⁴⁹ and oat milk⁵⁰ supplementation may significantly lower cholesterol levels in people with elevated cholesterol, but only weakly lowers them in people with healthy cholesterol levels.⁵¹

Linseed, another good source of soluble fibre, has been reported to lower total and LDL cholesterol in preliminary studies.⁵² ⁵³ A double-blind trial found that while both linseed and sunflower seed lowered total cholesterol, only linseed significantly lowered LDL.⁵⁴ Amounts of linseed used in these trials typically range from 30–50 grams per day. A controlled trial found that partially defatted linseed, containing 20 grams of fibre per day, significantly lowered LDL cholesterol, suggesting that at least one of the cholesterol-lowering components in linseed is likely to be the fibre in this product, as opposed to the oil removed from it.⁵⁵ Controlled trials of linseed oil alone have shown inconsistent effects on blood cholesterol.⁵⁶ ⁵⁷ ⁵⁸

Alpha-linolenic acid
Doctors and researchers are interested in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—the special omega-3 fatty acid found in large amounts in flaxseeds and linseed oil. ALA is a precursor to EPA, a fatty acid from fish oil that is believed to protect against heart disease. To a limited extent, ALA converts to EPA within the body.⁵⁹ However, unlike EPA, ALA does not lower triglyceride levels (a risk factor for heart disease).⁶⁰ Preliminary research on the effects of ALA from linseed has produced conflicting results.

In 1994, researchers conducted a study in people with a history of heart disease, using what they called the “Mediterranean” diet.⁶¹ The diet was significantly different from what people from Mediterranean countries actually eat, in that it contained little olive oil. Instead, the diet included a special margarine high in ALA. Those people assigned to the “Mediterranean” diet had a remarkable 70% reduced risk of dying from heart disease compared with the control group during the first 27 months. Similar results were also confirmed after almost four years.⁶² Although cholesterol levels fell only modestly in the “Mediterranean” diet group, the positive results suggest that people with elevated cholesterol attempting to reduce the risk of heart disease should consider such a diet. The diet was high in beans and peas, fish, fruit, vegetables, bread, and cereals; and low in meat, dairy fat, and eggs. Although the authors believe that the high ALA content of the diet was partially responsible for the surprising outcome, other aspects of the diet may have been partly or even totally responsible for decreased death rates. Therefore, the success of the “Mediterranean” diet does not prove that ALA protects against heart disease.⁶³

Soya
Tofu, tempeh, miso, and some protein powders in health food stores, are derived from soybeans. In 1995, an analysis of many trials proved that soya reduces both total and LDL cholesterol.⁶⁴ Since then, other double-blind and other controlled trials have confirmed these findings.⁶⁵ ⁶⁶ ⁶⁷ ⁶⁸ Trials showing statistically significant reductions in cholesterol have generally used more than 30 grams per day of soya protein. However, if soya replaces animal protein in the diet, as little as 20 grams per day has been shown to significantly reduce both total and LDL cholesterol.⁶⁹ Isoflavones found in soya beans appear to be key cholesterol-lowering ingredients of the bean,⁷⁰ ⁷¹ but animal research suggests other components of soya are also important.⁷² ⁷³

Sugar
Eating sugar has been reported to reduce protective HDL cholesterol⁷⁴ and increases other risk factors linked to heart disease.⁷⁵ However, higher sugar intake has been associated with only slightly higher risks of heart disease in most reports.⁷⁶ Although the exact relationship between sugar and heart disease remains somewhat unclear, many doctors recommend that people with high cholesterol reduce their sugar intake.

Coffee
Drinking boiled or French press coffee increases cholesterol levels.⁷⁷ Modern paper coffee filters trap the offending chemicals and keep them from entering the cup. Therefore, drinking paper-filtered coffee does not increase cholesterol levels.⁷⁸ ⁷⁹ Espresso coffee has amounts of the offending chemicals midway between those of other unfiltered coffees and paper-filtered coffee,⁸⁰ but there is little research investigating the effect of espresso on cholesterol levels, and studies to date have produced conflicting results.⁸¹ ⁸² The effects of decaffeinated coffee on cholesterol levels remain in debate.⁸³

Alcohol
Moderate drinking (one to two drinks per day) increases protective HDL cholesterol.⁸⁴ This effect happens equally with different kinds of alcohol-containing drinks.⁸⁵ ⁸⁶ Alcohol also acts as a blood thinner,⁸⁷ an effect that should lower heart disease. However, alcohol consumption may cause liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), cancer, high blood pressure, alcoholism, and, at high intake, an increased risk of heart disease. As a result, some doctors never recommend alcohol, even for people with high cholesterol. Nevertheless, those who have one to two drinks per day appear to live longer⁸⁸ and are clearly less likely to have heart disease.⁸⁹ Therefore, some people at very high risk of heart disease—those who are not alcoholics, who have healthy livers and normal blood pressure, and who are not at high risk for cancer, particularly breast cancer—are likely to receive more benefit than harm, from light drinking.

Olive oil
Olive oil lowers LDL cholesterol,⁹⁰ ⁹¹ especially when the olive oil replaces saturated fat in the diet.⁹² People from countries that use significant amounts of olive oil appear to be at low risk for heart disease.⁹³ A double-blind trial showed that a diet high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids from olive oil, lowers cardiovascular disease risk by 25%, as compared with a 12% decrease from a low-fat (25% fat) diet.⁹⁴ The trial also found that low-fat diets decrease HDL cholesterol by 4%, which is undesirable, since HDL cholesterol is protective against heart disease. Diets high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids from olive oil do not adversely affect HDL levels. Although olive oil is clearly safe for people with elevated cholesterol, it is, like any fat or oil, high in calories, so people who are overweight should limit its use.

Trans fatty acids and margarine
Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are found in many processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils. The highest levels occur in margarine. Margarine consumption is linked to increased risk of unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels⁹⁵ and heart disease.⁹⁶ Margarine and other processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils should be avoided.

However, special therapeutic margarines are now available that contain substances, called phytostanols, that block the absorption of cholesterol.⁹⁷ The FDA has approved some of these margarines as legitimate therapeutic agents for lowering blood cholesterol levels. The best-known of these products is Benecol™. The cholesterol-lowering effect of these margarines has been demonstrated in numerous double-blind and other controlled trials.⁹⁸ ⁹⁹ ¹⁰⁰ ¹⁰¹ ¹⁰² ¹⁰³ ¹⁰⁴

Garlic
Garlic is available as a food, as a spice in powder form, and as a supplement. Eating garlic has helped to lower cholesterol in some research,¹⁰⁵ though a few double-blind trials have not found garlic supplements to be thusly effective.¹⁰⁶ ¹⁰⁷ ¹⁰⁸ Although some of the negative reports have been criticized,¹⁰⁹ the relationship between garlic and cholesterol lowering remains unproven.¹¹⁰ However, garlic is known to act as a blood thinner¹¹¹ and may reduce other risk factors for heart disease.¹¹² For these reasons, some doctors recommend eating garlic as food, taking 900 mg of garlic powder from capsules, or using a tincture of 2 to 4 ml, taken three times daily.

Nuts
Preliminary research consistently shows that people who eat nuts frequently have a dramatically reduced risk of heart disease.¹¹³ ¹¹⁴ This apparent beneficial effect is at least partially explained by preliminary and controlled research demonstrating that nut consumption lowers cholesterol levels.¹¹⁵ ¹¹⁶ Of nuts commonly consumed, almonds¹¹⁷ ¹¹⁸ and walnuts¹¹⁹ ¹²⁰ ¹²¹ may be most effective at lowering cholesterol. Macadamia nuts have been less beneficial in most studies,¹²² ¹²³ ¹²⁴ although one controlled trial found a cholesterol-lowering effect from macadamia nuts.¹²⁵ Hazelnuts¹²⁶ and pistachio nuts¹²⁷ have also been reported to help lower cholesterol.

Nuts contain many factors that could be responsible for protection against heart disease, including fibre, vitamin E, alpha-linolenic acid (found primarily in walnuts), oleic acid, magnesium, potassium, and arginine. Therefore, exactly how nuts lower cholesterol or lower the risk of heart disease remains somewhat unclear. Some doctors even believe that nuts may not be directly protective; rather, people busy eating nuts will not simultaneously be eating eggs, dairy, or trans fatty acids from margarine and processed food, the avoidance of which would reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.¹²⁸ ¹²⁹ Nonetheless, the remarkable consistency of research outcomes strongly suggests that nuts do help protect against heart disease. Although nuts are loaded with calories, a preliminary trial surprisingly reported that adding hundreds of calories per day from nuts for six months did not increase body weight in humans¹³⁰ —an outcome supported by other reports.¹³¹ Even when increasing nut consumption has led to weight gain, the amount of added weight has been remarkably less than would be expected, given the number of calories added to the diet.¹³² Given the number of calories per ounce of nuts, scientists do not understand why moderate nut consumption apparently has so little effect on body weight.

Number and size of meals
When people eat a number of small meals, serum cholesterol levels fall compared with the effect of eating the same food in three big meals.¹³³ ¹³⁴ People with elevated cholesterol levels should probably avoid very large meals and eat more frequent, smaller meals.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful

Exercise increases protective HDL cholesterol,¹³⁵ an effect that occurs even from walking.¹³⁶ Total and LDL cholesterol are typically lowered by exercise, especially when weight-loss also occurs.¹³⁷ Exercisers have a relatively low risk of heart disease.¹³⁸ However, people over 40 years of age, or who have heart disease, should talk with their doctor before starting an exercise programme; overdoing it may actually trigger heart attacks.¹³⁹

Obesity increases the risk of heart disease,¹⁴⁰ in part because weight gain lowers HDL cholesterol.¹⁴¹ Weight loss reduces the body’s ability to make cholesterol, increases HDL levels, and reduces triglycerides (another risk factor for heart disease).¹⁴² ¹⁴³ Weight loss also leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

Smoking is linked to a lowered level of HDL cholesterol¹⁴⁴ and is also known to cause heart disease.¹⁴⁵ Giving up smoking reduces the risk of having a heart attack.¹⁴⁶

The combination of feelings of hostility, stress, and time urgency is called type A behaviour. Men,¹⁴⁷ ¹⁴⁸ but not women,¹⁴⁹ with these traits are at high risk for heart disease in most, but not all, studies.¹⁵⁰ Stress¹⁵¹ or type A behaviour¹⁵² may elevate cholesterol in men. Reducing stress and feelings of hostility has reduced the risk of heart disease.¹⁵³

Other therapies

People with high cholesterol are commonly advised to reduce their consumption of dietary cholesterol and saturated fats.

Vitamins that may be helpful

Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fibre that is derived from konjac root. Controlled¹⁵⁴ ¹⁵⁵ and double-blind¹⁵⁶ ¹⁵⁷ trials have shown that supplementation with glucomannan significantly reduced total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and in some cases raised HDL cholesterol. Effective amounts of glucomannan for lowering blood cholesterol have been 4 to 13 grams per day.

Test tube and animal studies indicate that policosanol is capable of inhibiting cholesterol production by the liver.¹⁵⁸ ¹⁵⁹ Extensive preliminary and double-blind research in Cuba and other countries in Latin America has demonstrated that taking 10 to 20 mg per day of policosanol extracted from sugar cane results in significant changes in blood cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol (17 to 21% lower on average), LDL cholesterol (21 to 29% lower), and HDL cholesterol (7 to 29% higher).¹⁶⁰ ¹⁶¹ ¹⁶² ¹⁶³ ¹⁶⁴ ¹⁶⁵ ¹⁶⁶ ¹⁶⁷ ¹⁶⁸ ¹⁶⁹ ¹⁷⁰ However, virtually all of this research was conducted by a single research group from Cuba. Follow-up double-blind studies performed in the United States,¹⁷¹ ¹⁷² Canada,¹⁷³ and Germany¹⁷⁴ found that sugar cane-derived policosanol in amounts of 10 to 80 mg per day taken for 12 weeks had no effect on serum cholesterol levels in people with initially high cholesterol levels. Until additional independent studies are performed, the effect of policosanol on serum cholesterol levels must be considered uncertain.

The combined results of nine double-blind trials indicate that supplementation with HMB (beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate effectively lowers total and LDL cholesterol.¹⁷⁵ All trials used 3 grams per day, taken for three to eight weeks.

Vitamin C appears to protect LDL cholesterol from damage.¹⁷⁶ In some clinical trials, cholesterol levels have fallen when people with elevated cholesterol supplement with vitamin C.¹⁷⁷ Some studies report that decreases in total cholesterol occur specifically in LDL cholesterol.¹⁷⁸ Doctors sometimes recommend 1 gram per day of vitamin C. A review of the disparate research concerning vitamin C and heart disease, however, has suggested that most protection against heart disease from vitamin C, is likely to occur with as little as 100 mg per day.¹⁷⁹

Pantethine, a by-product of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), may help reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the body. A few preliminary¹⁸⁰ ¹⁸¹ ¹⁸² ¹⁸³ ¹⁸⁴ and two controlled¹⁸⁵ ¹⁸⁶ trials have found that pantethine (300 mg taken two to four times per day) significantly lowers serum cholesterol levels and may also increase HDL. However, one double-blind trial in people whose high blood cholesterol did not change with diet and drug therapy, found that pantethine was also not effective.¹⁸⁷ Common pantothenic acid has not been reported to have any effect on high blood cholesterol.

Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol,¹⁸⁸ ¹⁸⁹ LDL cholesterol¹⁹⁰ ¹⁹¹ and increased HDL cholesterol¹⁹² ¹⁹³ in double-blind and other controlled trials, although other trials have not found these effects.¹⁹⁴ ¹⁹⁵ One double-blind trial found that high amounts of chromium (500 mcg per day) in combination with daily exercise was highly effective, producing nearly a 20% decrease in total cholesterol levels in just 13 weeks.¹⁹⁶

Brewer’s yeast, which contains readily absorbable and biologically active chromium, has also lowered serum cholesterol.¹⁹⁷ People with higher blood levels of chromium appear to be at lower risk for heart disease.¹⁹⁸ A reasonable and safe intake of supplemental chromium is 200 mcg per day. People wishing to use brewer’s yeast as a source of chromium should look for products specifically labelled “from the brewing process” or “brewer’s yeast,” since most yeast found in health food stores is not brewer’s yeast, and does not contain chromium. Optimally, true brewer’s yeast contains up to 60 mcg of chromium per tablespoon, and a reasonable intake is 2 tablespoons per day.

High amounts (several grams per day) of niacin, a form of vitamin B3, lower cholesterol, an effect recognized in the approval of niacin as a prescription medication for high cholesterol.¹⁹⁹ The other common form of vitamin B3—niacinamide—does not affect cholesterol levels. Some niacin preparations have raised HDL cholesterol better than certain prescription drugs.²⁰⁰ Some cardiologists prescribe 3 grams of niacin per day or even higher amounts for people with high cholesterol levels. At such intakes, acute symptoms (flushing, headache, stomachache) and chronic symptoms (liver damage, diabetes, gastritis, eye damage, possibly gout) of toxicity may be severe. Many people are not able to continue taking these levels of niacin due to discomfort or danger to their health. Therefore, high intakes of niacin must only be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

Symptoms caused by niacin supplements, such as flushing, have been reduced with sustained-release (also called “time-release”) niacin products. However, sustained-release forms of niacin have caused significant liver toxicity and, though rarely, liver failure.²⁰¹ ²⁰² ²⁰³ ²⁰⁴ ²⁰⁵ One partial time-release (intermediate-release) niacin product has lowered LDL cholesterol and raised HDL cholesterol without flushing, and it also has acted without the liver function abnormalities typically associated with sustained-release niacin formulations.²⁰⁶ However, this form of niacin is available by prescription only.

In an attempt to avoid the side effects of niacin, alternative health practitioners increasingly use inositol hexaniacinate, recommending 500 to 1,000 mg, taken three times per day, instead of niacin.²⁰⁷ ²⁰⁸ This special form of niacin has been reported to lower serum cholesterol but so far has not been found to cause significant toxicity.²⁰⁹ Unfortunately, compared with niacin, far fewer investigations have studied the possible positive or negative effects of inositol hexaniacinate. As a result, people using inositol hexaniacinate should not take it without the supervision of a doctor, who will evaluate whether it is helpful (by measuring cholesterol levels) and will make sure that toxicity is not occurring (by measuring liver enzymes, uric acid and glucose levels, and by taking medical history and doing physical examinations).

Soya supplementation has been shown to lower cholesterol in humans.²¹⁰ Soya is available in foods such as tofu, miso, and tempeh and as a supplemental protein powder. Soya contains isoflavones, naturally occurring plant components that are believed to be soya’s main cholesterol-lowering ingredients. A controlled trial showed that soya preparations containing high amounts of isoflavones effectively lowered total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, whereas low-isoflavone preparations (less than 27 mg per day) did not.²¹¹ However, supplementation with either soya²¹² or non-soya isoflavones (from red clover)²¹³ in pill form failed to reduce cholesterol levels in a group of healthy volunteers, suggesting that isoflavone may not be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of soya. Further trials of isoflavone supplements in people with elevated cholesterol, are needed to resolve these conflicting results. In a study of people with high cholesterol levels, a soya preparation that contained soya protein, soya fibre, and soya phospholipids lowered cholesterol levels more effectively than isolated soya protein.²¹⁴

Soya contains phytosterols. One such molecule, beta-sitosterol, is available as a supplement. Beta-sitosterol alone, and in combination with similar plant sterols, has been shown to reduce blood levels of cholesterol in preliminary²¹⁵ and controlled²¹⁶ ²¹⁷ trials. This effect may occur because beta-sitosterol blocks absorption of cholesterol.²¹⁸ In studying the effects of 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 grams of plant sterols per day, one double-blind trial found that higher intake of sterols tended to result in greater reduction in cholesterol, though the differences between the effects of these three amounts were not statistically significant.²¹⁹

A synthetic molecule related to beta-sitosterol, sitostanol, is available in a special margarine and has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one controlled trial, supplementation with 1.7 grams per day of a plant-sterol product containing mostly sitostanol, combined with dietary changes, led to a dramatic 24% drop in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol compared with only a 9% decrease in the diet-only part of the trial.²²⁰ Other controlled and double-blind trials have confirmed these results.²²¹ ²²² ²²³ ²²⁴ ²²⁵ ²²⁶ A review of double-blind trials on sitostanol found that a reduction in the risk of heart disease of about 25% may be expected from use of sitostanol-containing spreads, a larger clinical effect than that produced by people reducing their saturated fat intake.²²⁷ Supplementation with sitostanol in the amount of 1.8 grams per day for six weeks has also been shown to enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of statin drugs.²²⁸

Tocotrienols, a group of food-derived compounds that resemble vitamin E, may lower blood levels of cholesterol, but evidence is conflicting. Although tocotrienols inhibited cholesterol synthesis in test-tube studies,²²⁹ ²³⁰ human trials have produced contradictory results. Two double-blind trials found that 200 mg per day of either gamma-tocotrienol²³¹ or total tocotrienols²³² were more effective than placebo, reducing cholesterol levels by 13–15%. However, in another double-blind trial, 200 mg of tocotrienols per day failed to lower cholesterol levels,²³³ and a fourth double-blind trial found 140 mg of tocotrienols and 80 mg of vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) daily resulted in no changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol levels.²³⁴

In a double-blind study of people with elevated blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides, supplementation with krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) for three months decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. Krill oil was significantly more effective than both regular fish oil and a placebo.²³⁵

Activated charcoal has the ability to adsorb (attach to) cholesterol and bile acids present in the intestine, preventing their absorption.²³⁶ ²³⁷ Reducing the absorption of bile acids results in increased cholesterol breakdown by the liver. In controlled studies of people with high cholesterol, activated charcoal reduced total- and LDL-cholesterol levels, when given in amounts from 4 to 32 grams per day. Larger amounts were more effective: reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were 23% and 29%, respectively, with 16 grams daily, and 29% and 41% with 32 grams daily.²³⁸ Similar results were reported in other controlled²³⁹ and preliminary²⁴⁰ studies using 16 to 24 grams per day, but one small double-blind trial found no effect of either 15 or 30 grams per day in patients with high cholesterol.²⁴¹

Deficiency of the trace mineral, copper, has been linked to high blood cholesterol.²⁴² ²⁴³ In a controlled trial, daily supplementation with 3 to 4 mg of copper for eight weeks decreased blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, in a group of people over 50 years of age.²⁴⁴

Beta-glucan is a type of soluble fibre molecule derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast, oats and barley, and many medicinal mushrooms, such as maitake. Beta-glucan is the key factor for the cholesterol-lowering effect of oat bran.²⁴⁵ ²⁴⁶ ²⁴⁷ ²⁴⁸ As with other soluble-fibre components, the binding of cholesterol (and bile acids) by beta-glucan and the resulting elimination of these substances in the faeces is very helpful for reducing blood cholesterol.²⁴⁹ ²⁵⁰ ²⁵¹ Results from a number of double-blind trials with either oat- or yeast-derived beta-glucan indicate typical reductions, after at least four weeks of use, of approximately 10% for total cholesterol and 8% for LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, with elevations in HDL (“good”) cholesterol ranging from zero to 16%.²⁵² ²⁵³ ²⁵⁴ ²⁵⁵ ²⁵⁶ For lowering cholesterol levels, the amount of beta-glucan used has ranged from 2,900 to 15,000 mg per day.

Some preliminary²⁵⁷ and double-blind²⁵⁸ ²⁵⁹ trials have shown that supplemental calcium reduces cholesterol levels. Possibly the calcium is binding with and preventing the absorption of dietary fat.²⁶⁰ However, other research has found no substantial or statistically significant effects of calcium supplementation on total cholesterol or HDL (“good”) cholesterol.²⁶¹ Reasonable supplemental levels are 800 to 1,000 mg per day.

In one double-blind trial,²⁶² vitamin E increased protective HDL cholesterol, but a few other trials,²⁶³ ²⁶⁴ ²⁶⁵ found no effect of vitamin E. However, vitamin E is known to protect LDL cholesterol from damage.²⁶⁶ Most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL increases the risk of heart disease. Studies of the ability of vitamin E supplements to prevent heart disease have produced conflicting results,²⁶⁷ but many doctors continue to recommend that everyone supplement 400 IU of vitamin E per day to lessen the risk of having a heart attack.

L-carnitine is needed by heart muscle to utilise fat for energy. Some,²⁶⁸ ²⁶⁹ but not all, preliminary trials report that carnitine reduces serum cholesterol.²⁷⁰ HDL cholesterol has also increased in response to carnitine supplementation.²⁷¹ ²⁷² People have been reported in controlled research to stand a greater chance of surviving a heart attack if they are given L-carnitine supplements.²⁷³ Most trials have used 1 to 4 grams of carnitine per day.

Magnesium is needed by the heart to function properly. Although the mechanism is unclear, magnesium supplements (430 mg per day) lowered cholesterol in a preliminary trial.²⁷⁴ Another preliminary study reported that magnesium deficiency is associated with a low HDL cholesterol level.²⁷⁵ Intravenous magnesium has reduced death following heart attacks in some, but not all, clinical trials.²⁷⁶ Though these outcomes would suggest that people with high cholesterol levels should take magnesium supplements, an isolated double-blind trial reported that people with a history of heart disease assigned to magnesium supplementation experienced an increased number of heart attacks.²⁷⁷ More information is necessary before the scientific community can clearly evaluate the role magnesium should play for people with elevated cholesterol.

Chondroitin sulphate has lowered serum cholesterol levels in preliminary trials.²⁷⁸ ²⁷⁹ Years ago, this supplement dramatically reduced the risk of heart attacks in a controlled, six-year follow-up of people with heart disease.²⁸⁰ The few doctors aware of these older clinical trials sometimes tell people with a history of heart disease or elevated cholesterol levels, to take approximately 500 mg of chondroitin sulphate three times per day.

Although lecithin has been reported to increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol,²⁸¹ a review of the research found that the positive effect of lecithin was likely due to the polyunsaturated fat content of the lecithin.²⁸² If this is so, it would make more sense to use inexpensive vegetable oil, rather than take lecithin supplements. However, an animal study found a cholesterol-lowering effect of lecithin independent of its polyunsaturate content.²⁸³ A double-blind trial found that 20 grams of soya lecithin per day for four weeks had no significant effect on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides.²⁸⁴ Whether taking lecithin supplements is a useful way to lower cholesterol in people with elevated cholesterol levels remains unclear.

The fibre-like supplement chitosan appears to reduce the absorption of bile acids or cholesterol; either of these effects may cause a lowering of blood cholesterol. ²⁸⁵ This effect has been repeatedly demonstrated in animals, and a preliminary human study showed that 3 to 6 grams per day of chitosan taken for two weeks resulted in a 6% drop in cholesterol and a 10% increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol. ²⁸⁶ Another preliminary trial showed a 43% lowering of total cholesterol in people being treated for kidney failure with dialysis who took 4 grams per day of chitosan for 12 weeks. These people also appeared to have improved kidney function and less severe anaemia after chitosan treatment. ²⁸⁷ In a double-blind trial, however, administration of 2.4 grams of chitosan per day for three months to people with high cholesterol had no effect on their cholesterol levels. ²⁸⁸

Chitosan in large amounts, given with vitamin C, has been shown to reduce dietary fat absorption in animals fed a high-fat diet. ²⁸⁹ ²⁹⁰ ²⁹¹ However, the absorption of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins was also reduced by feeding animals large amounts of chitosan. ²⁹² In studies in humans, chitosan did not reduce the absorption of dietary fat.²⁹³ ²⁹⁴

Royal jelly has prevented the cholesterol-elevating effect of nicotine²⁹⁵ and has lowered serum cholesterol in animal studies.²⁹⁶ Preliminary human trials have also found that royal jelly may lower cholesterol levels.²⁹⁷ ²⁹⁸ An analysis of cholesterol-lowering trials shows that 50 to 100 mg per day is the typical amount used in such research.²⁹⁹

A double-blind trial found that 20 grams per day of creatine taken for five days, followed by ten grams per day for 51 days, significantly lowered serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, but did not change either LDL or HDL cholesterol, in both men and women.³⁰⁰ However, another double-blind trial found no change in any of these blood levels in trained athletes using creatine during a 12-week strength training programme.³⁰¹ Creatine supplementation in this negative trial was lower—only 5 grams per day were taken for the last 11 weeks of the study.

Octacosanol, a substance found in wheat germ oil, is sometimes available as a supplement. Small amounts (5 to 20 mg per day) of policosanol, an experimental supplement from Cuba consisting primarily of octacosanol, has led to large reductions in LDL cholesterol and/or increases in HDL.³⁰² ³⁰³ ³⁰⁴ ³⁰⁵ Octacosanol may lower cholesterol by inhibiting the liver’s production of cholesterol.³⁰⁶

Homocysteine, a substance linked to heart disease risk, may increase the rate at which LDL cholesterol is damaged.³⁰⁷ While vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid lower homocysteine,³⁰⁸ a recent trial found no effect of supplements of these vitamins on protecting LDL cholesterol, even though homocysteine was lowered.³⁰⁹

Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.

Herbs that may be helpful

Researchers have determined that one of the ingredients in red yeast rice, called monacolin K, inhibits the production of cholesterol by stopping the action of the key enzyme in the liver (i.e., HMG-CoA reductase) that is responsible for manufacturing cholesterol.³¹⁰ The drug lovastatin (Mevacor®) acts in a fashion similar to this red-yeast-rice ingredient. However, the amount per volume of monacolin K in red yeast rice is small (0.2% per 5 mg) when compared to the 20 to 40 mg of lovastatin available as a prescription drug.³¹¹

The red yeast rice used in various studies was a proprietary product called Cholestin®, which contains ten different monacolins.

Note: Cholestin has been banned in the United States, as a result of a lawsuit alleging patent infringement.

Other red yeast rice products currently on the market differ from Cholestin in their chemical make-up. None contain the full complement of ten monacolin compounds that are present in Cholestin, and some contain a potentially toxic fermentation product called citrinin.³¹² Despite these concerns, other red yeast rice products are being widely used and anecdotal reports suggest that they have a similar safety and efficacy profile as that of Cholestin.

Use of psyllium has been extensively studied as a way to reduce cholesterol levels. An analysis of all double-blind trials in 1997 concluded that a daily amount of 10 grams psyllium lowered cholesterol levels by 5% and LDL cholesterol by 9%.³¹³ Since then, a large controlled trial found that use of 5.1 grams of psyllium two times per day significantly reduced serum cholesterol as well as LDL-cholesterol.³¹⁴ Generally, 5 to 10 grams of psyllium are added to the diet per day to lower cholesterol levels. The combination of psyllium and oat bran may also be effective at lowering LDL cholesterol.³¹⁵

Guggul, a mixture of substances taken from a plant, is an approved treatment for elevated cholesterol in India and has been a mainstay of the Ayurvedic approach to preventing atherosclerosis. One double-blind trial studying the effects of guggul reported that serum cholesterol dropped by 17.5%.³¹⁶ In another double-blind trial comparing guggul to the drug clofibrate, the average fall in serum cholesterol was slightly greater in the guggul group; moreover, HDL cholesterol rose in 60% of people responding to guggul, while clofibrate did not elevate HDL.³¹⁷ A third double-blind trial found significant changes in total and LDL cholesterol levels, but not in HDL.³¹⁸ However, in another double-blind trial, supplementation with guggul for eight weeks had no effect on total serum cholesterol, but significantly increased LDL-cholesterol levels, compared with a placebo.³¹⁹ Daily intakes of guggul are based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. The recommended amount of guggulsterones is 25 mg taken three times per day. Most extracts contain 5 to 10% guggulsterones, and doctors familiar with their use usually recommend taking guggul for at least 12 weeks before evaluating its effect.

In a double-blind trial, people with moderately high cholesterol took a tincture of Achillea wilhelmsii, a herb used in traditional Persian medicine.³²⁰ Participants in the trial used 15 to 20 drops of the tincture twice daily for six months. At the end of the trial, participants experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol compared to those who took placebo. No adverse effects were reported.

Reports on many double-blind garlic trials performed through 1998 suggested that cholesterol was lowered by an average of 9 to 12% and triglycerides by 8 to 27% over a one-to-four month period.³²¹ ³²² ³²³ Most of these trials used 600 to 900 mg per day of garlic supplements. More recently, however, a few double-blind trials have found garlic to have minimal success in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.³²⁴ ³²⁵ ³²⁶ ³²⁷ ³²⁸ One negative trial has been criticized for using a steam-distilled garlic “oil” that has no track record for this purpose,³²⁹ while the others used the same standardised garlic products as the previous positive trials. Based on these findings, the use of garlic should not be considered a primary approach to lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides.³³⁰

Part of the confusion may result from differing effects from dissimilar garlic products. In most but not all trials, aged garlic extracts and garlic oil (both containing no allicin) have not lowered cholesterol levels in humans.³³¹ ³³² Therefore, neither of these supplements can be recommended at this time for cholesterol lowering. Odour-controlled, enteric-coated tablets standardised for allicin content are available and, in some trials, appear more promising.³³³ Doctors typically recommend 900 mg per day (providing 5,000 to 6,000 mcg of allicin), divided into two or three admininstrations.

Green tea has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels and improve people’s cholesterol profile, decreasing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol according to preliminary studies.³³⁴ ³³⁵ ³³⁶ ³³⁷ However, not all trials have found that green tea intake lowers lipid levels.³³⁸ Much of the research documenting the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically drunk in Asian countries—about three cups per day, providing 240 to 320 mg of polyphenols.

An extract of green tea, enriched with a compound present in black tea (theaflavins), has been found to lower serum cholesterol in a double-blind study of people with moderately high cholesterol levels.³³⁹ The average reduction in total serum cholesterol during the 12-week study was 11.3%, and the average reduction in LDL cholesterol was 16.4%. The extract used in this study provided daily 75 mg of theaflavins, 150 mg of green tea catechins, and 150 mg of other tea polyphenols.

Artichoke has moderately lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in some,³⁴⁰ but not all,³⁴¹ human trials. One double-blind trial found that 900 mg of artichoke extract per day significantly lowered serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but did not decrease triglycerides or raise HDL cholesterol.³⁴² Cholesterol-lowering effects occurred when using 320 mg of standardised leaf extract taken two to three times per day for at least six weeks.

Berberine, a compound found in certain herbs such as goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape, has been found to lower serum cholesterol levels. In a study of people with high cholesterol levels, 500 mg of berberine taken twice a day for three months lowered the average cholesterol level by 29%. No significant side effects were reported, except for mild constipation.³⁴³

Fenugreek seeds contain compounds known as steroidal saponins that inhibit both cholesterol absorption in the intestines and cholesterol production by the liver.³⁴⁴ Dietary fibre may also contribute to fenugreek’s activity. Multiple human trials (some double-blind) have found that fenugreek may help lower total cholesterol in people with moderate atherosclerosis or those having insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes.³⁴⁵ ³⁴⁶ ³⁴⁷ One human double-blind trial has also shown that defatted fenugreek seeds may raise levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.³⁴⁸ One small preliminary trial found that either 25 or 50 grams per day of defatted fenugreek seed powder significantly lowered serum cholesterol after 20 days.³⁴⁹ Germination of the fenugreek seeds may improve the soluble fibre content of the seeds, thus improving their effect on cholesterol.³⁵⁰ Fenugreek powder is generally taken in amounts of 10 to 30 grams three times per day with meals.

Preliminary Chinese research has found that high doses (12 grams per day) of the herb fo-ti may lower cholesterol levels. Double-blind or other controlled trials are needed to determine fo-ti’s use in lowering cholesterol. A tea may be made from processed roots by boiling 3 to 5 grams in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Three or more cups should be drunk each day. Fo-ti tablets containing 500 mg each are also available. Doctors may suggest taking five of these tablets three times per day.

Wild yam has been reported to raise HDL cholesterol in preliminary research. Doctors sometimes recommend 2 to 3 ml of tincture taken three to four times per day, or 1 to 2 capsules or tablets of dried root taken three times per day. ³⁵¹

Animal studies suggest that the mushroom maitake may lower fat levels in the blood.³⁵² This research is still preliminary and requires confirmation with controlled human trials.

Animal studies indicate that saponins in alfalfa seeds may block absorption of cholesterol and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.³⁵³ However, consuming the large amounts of alfalfa seeds (80 to 120 grams per day) needed to supply high doses of these saponins may potentially cause damage to red blood cells in the body.³⁵⁴

Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.

References
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.

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