Hypercholesterolemia is one of the top risk factors for heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans; however, treatment with conventional cholesterol-lowering medications may not be an option for everyone. A 2009 Medical News Today report notes that up to 15 percent of the hundreds of thousands of people taking the cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have severe side effects that prevent them from being treated. Natural alternatives to these conventional treatments may be a viable option for these and other more holistic-minded patients.
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is a product of Japan that has been used in their traditional healing systems for thousands of years. Medical News Today notes that this natural product has the ability to effectively reduce high cholesterol with little to no side effects. The report cites two cardiologists who studied the use and effectiveness of this supplement in their private practice. The conclusion of their study determined that red yeast rice did not cause the side effect of severe muscle pain experienced by some patients taking statin drugs. The red yeast rice prescription, dosed at three 600 mg capsules taken two times per day in addition to stress management and diet therapy, was able to reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol by 35 mg/dL. Taking red yeast rice as an alternative to your prescription cholesterol medication should be discussed with your doctor in advance.
Guggul
Guggul is a natural substance derived from the resin of a plant native to India. This herb has been used for thousands of years to lower cholesterol, among its many other benefits. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) notes that guggul slows the production of cholesterol by the liver. It also has the ability to effectively boost the functioning of the thyroid gland. This dual effect makes it an ideal natural alternative for someone suffering from hypothyroidism, as high cholesterol is often a consequence of this disease. The MSKCC notes an effective dose of the guggul extract is 50 mg of the active ingredient, guggulipid, taken two times per day. This herb should also be discussed with your healthcare provider before use.
Niacin
Niacin and niacinamide also go by the name vitamin B3. This vitamin has been long studied for its use as a cholesterol-lowering agent and has even been incorporated into a conventional drug, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) MedlinePlus article. It is important to note that the niacinamide version of the vitamin is not helpful for lowering cholesterol and consuming concentrated sources of B3 in foods is not sufficient. Effective doses of niacin, according to MedlinePlus, are in the range of 500 mg and should be used with the guidance of a physician, as laboratory tests to monitor liver function may be necessary.
Krill Oil
Neptune krill oil (NKO) is a type of fatty acid taken from a type of crustacean. It appears to be more effective than conventional fish oil, according to a 2004 "Alternative Medicine Review" article, in lowering high cholesterol. Additionally, the krill oil has an added benefit, not often found in prescriptive cholesterol-lowering medications, of significantly raising the HDL or "good" cholesterol and lowering blood glucose. The effective dose used in the study was 1 to 3 g of the oil per day. The 2004 study authors note that once blood lipid levels are under control, only a 500 mg per day dose is required to maintain its effects. Krill oil supplementation should be discussed with your doctor before use.
