There are many ways you can lower your cholesterol level, and the best place to start is with your diet. The American Heart Association recommends a low-cholesterol, low-saturated fat, trans fat-free diet. When lifestyle changes alone don't work to bring your cholesterol levels down to normal, you might have to consider medication. If you are wary of prescription medications or unable to tolerate those that are available, there are several alternatives you can discuss with your doctor.
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is a natural form of the statin medication prescribed by doctors for lowering cholesterol. In fact, the prescription medication lovastatin is made with red yeast rice.
A study reported by the journal "Annals of Internal Medicine" involving 62 patients with high cholesterol shows that those who took three 600 mg red yeast rice capsules twice a day for six months lowered their LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and their total cholesterol. The average drop for LDL cholesterol was 35 mg/dL. No side effects from taking the supplements were reported.
Plant Stanols and Sterols
Plant sterols and stanols are substances found in plant foods that block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine into the bloodstream. They are naturally occurring in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, grains, fruits and vegetables but only in minute amounts. Margarine-type spreads with therapeutic amounts of added plant stanols and sterols are available in supermarkets and supplements can be found in pharmacies and health food stores.
A Mayo Clinic study published in the "Journal of Nutrition" found that plant stanols and sterols can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 15 percent when taken in doses of 2 g to 3 g a day. No side effects were reported at this dosage. Plant stanols and sterols can be used in conjunction with a low-fat diet and taken along with other cholesterol-lowering medications.
Niacin
The B vitamin niacin lowers levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in the blood but it is especially noted for the fact that it also raises HDL cholesterol (the good kind). HDL cholesterol protects your heart by gathering up LDL cholesterol in the blood and carrying it to the liver to be packaged for excretion. The more HDL cholesterol you have in your blood, the more LDL that will be excreted. Niacin in doses high enough to have this effect must be prescribed by your doctor because of potential side effects. Niacin overload can result in skin flushing, dizziness, irregular heartbeat and liver damage.
The Benefits
Alternative medications can lower cholesterol without causing any of the side effects attributed to more powerful medications such as statins, which can cause digestive problems and muscle pain. Females, men and women age 65 and older and anyone with diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease are most at risk of developing side effects from statins.
The Risks
Although alternative medications for lowering cholesterol are available over the counter, they are still medications and should be taken under medical supervision. Self-medicating can result in an overdose or an underdose.
Since alternative solutions may be milder than prescription drugs, they may also be less effective. When you choose an alternative, continue to see a doctor for routine tests to be sure the medicine you are taking is doing what it is supposed to do.
