Vitamins to reduce cholesterol provide natural remedies for improving your cardiovascular health and functioning. Vitamins may help lower harmful cholesterol that can play havoc with your heart and overall level of operation. Do not concentrate on one certain vitamin to the exclusion of others, but rather obtain maximum nutritional benefits by eating a well-balanced diet, according to the American Heart Association. Including the vitamins as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle will improve your overall health.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a key role in cardiovascular health. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an essential vitamin that acts as free-radical fighting antioxidant, according to the National Institutes of Health. This antioxidant helps prevent and modify low-density lipoprotein oxidation that damages your arterial walls. Oxidized low-density lipoproteins can lead to blood clots or plaque formation that can clog your arterial walls. Vitamin C assists in preventing blood clots and/or plaque formation and instability. The nutrient also plays a role in keeping your blood vessels elastic and operating properly. Get your vitamin C as an over-the-counter supplement in powdered or supplement form. Eating foods rich in the nutrient provide another alternative. Foods rich in vitamin C include most produce as well as fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, including oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruit and limes, contain some of the highest levels of this heart-healthy nutrient. Other vitamin C-rich fruits include kiwi, pineapples, berries, melons and mango. Vitamin C-rich sources of vegetables include tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens and sweet peppers.
Vitamin A
A plant form of vitamin A known as beta-carotene can provide cholesterol-lowering benefits. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant that fights the oxidation process of harmful cholesterol, according to HolisticOnline.com. This protects your heart health. Beta-carotene can be an ingredient in a multivitamin supplement or found naturally in a variety of foods. Plant-based sources of vitamin A include brightly colored fruits and vegetables. The brighter or deeper the color, the higher the beta-carotene content to help your cholesterol. Foods rich in this nutrient include dark green leafy greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, kale, peas, carrots, apricots and peaches. Varieties of sweet peppers including red, yellow and green contain rich amounts of beta-carotene.
Folic Acid
Having a folic acid deficiency increases your risk of developing heart disease. Folic acid plays a role in deterring cardiovascular disease by breaking down and lowering homocysteine, according to HolisticOnline.com and the American Heart Association. Every year, an average of 10 percent of heart attacks are due to uncontrolled homocysteine levels. High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, may cause blockage of the carotid arteries that carry blood to your brain. Get your folic acid by taking multivitamin supplements or via dietary sources. Dietary sources of this heart-healthy B vitamin include broccoli, orange juice, legumes, nuts and green leafy vegetables. Dark leafy greens include spinach, kale, dandelion greens, endive, radicchio, turnip greens, mustard greens and lettuce varieties.
