"Bad" or LDL cholesterol is associated with increased risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Your first order of business to reduce your LDL levels is to eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight and introduce exercise into your lifestyle. MayoClinic.com indicates that some dietary supplements may also help lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, keep in mind that dietary supplements are not medications and shouldn't be treated as such. Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements to lower bad cholesterol.
Dietary Supplement Primer
Before you decide to use supplements to lower bad cholesterol, it's first important to understand exactly how supplements are defined. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, all supplements are considered dietary supplements -- essentially, they are classified under a broader category that encompasses foods. Supplements can be oral multivitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes and amino acids, and they are sold in many forms -- tablets, capsules, liquids and even bars. Supplements don't go through the same stringent FDA approval process as do drugs; the supplement manufacturer is responsible for making sure they're safe before they go on the market. The FDA takes action when adverse effects are associated with a specific supplement. Whenever you take dietary supplements, you have no assurance of the product's safety or efficacy other than the manufacturer's word. It's vital to consult with your treating physician before using supplements for a serious medical condition like high cholesterol.
Supplements for Bad Cholesterol
Some supplements and food products may help lower bad cholesterol levels, as well as your total blood cholesterol. Among those listed by MayoClinic.com are extract of artichoke, green tea and garlic; barley; and blond psyllium. Sitostanol and beta-sitosterol are found in certain supplements, but you can also find them in margarines like Benecol and Promise Activ. Oatmeal and whole oats contain oat bran, which may also lower bad cholesterol. If high triglycerides are a concern, look to ground flaxseed and fish oil supplements, says MayoClinic.com.
Side Effects
Just like prescription medications for high cholesterol, dietary supplements can have certain side effects. Gas, bloating, stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and allergic reaction are all potential hazards of using the aforementioned supplements to lower bad cholesterol levels, with the exception of barley. Garlic extract and fish oil supplements can leave you with an unpleasant taste in your mouth as well as bad breath.
Red Yeast Rice
Of the supplements that purportedly lower bad cholesterol, red yeast rice receives a lot of mention. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, there is scientific evidence to prove that red yeast rice contains an active ingredient called monacolin K, which is markedly similar to the prescription cholesterol-fighting drug lovastatin. What you should know about red yeast rice supplements is that the FDA, after determining them to be drugs, forced supplement makers to remove all products containing lovastatin from the shelves. You probably won't find a red yeast rice supplement with the cholesterol-lowering ingredients you expect, says the UMMC. Err on the side of safety and don't use these supplements to address your cholesterol concerns; unless prescribed by your doctor, use of statins can be dangerous to your health.
Supplement Safety
Some dietary supplements do provide health benefits, but the marketing claims of many others aren't yet proven. The FDA urges you to keep in mind that when a dietary supplement promises immediate, miraculous results with no side effects, this is a red flag to avoid the product. Defer to reputable Internet sources such as national health organizations rather than the websites of online marketers hawking products. If a supplement you've never heard of claims to lower your cholesterol, talk to your treating physician about it first. Never self-diagnose or take dietary supplements blindly; get your doctor's OK first.
