Having high cholesterol can cause you to develop atherosclerosis, which can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of developing coronary artery disease and a stroke. There are a number of different ways in which you can lower your cholesterol. Niacin can improve the levels of "good" cholesterol, which can lower your risk of developing atherosclerosis. Fish oil is a commonly used supplement which can also help prevent atherosclerosis. Finally, conjugated linoleic acid can help people lose weight, which can also result in lowered cholesterol. Patients should talk with their physicians before beginning any sort of supplement regimen and should bear in mind that taking niacin, fish oil and conjugated linoleic acid may not be enough to keep cholesterol in the blood at acceptable levels.
Step 1
Use 3.2 grams of conjugated linoleic acid each day. A 2007 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition titled "Efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: a meta-analysis in humans" found that taking 3.2 grams of conjugated linoleic acid or CLA each day resulted in modest weight loss in humans. Patients taking this supplement should be aware that it can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, loose stools and indigestion, EMedTC explains.
Step 2
Take niacin supplements as directed. Niacin usually comes in the form of tablets, and can be purchased over-the-counter or with a prescription, though the prescription varieties are typically better for reducing your risk of atherosclerosis because they are more carefully regulated. PubMed Health notes that regular niacin tablets should be taken two to three times a day with food, whereas extended release formulations only need to be taken once a day, at night, with food. Taking niacin with food can help reduce the risk of certain side effects, such as flushing, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision.
Step 3
Consume fish oil supplements. Fish oil supplements are able to improve a person's cholesterol levels because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Because the composition of different fish oil supplements vary, patients should take this compound according to the directions on the supplement's packaging. According to the Mayo Clinic, the World Health Organization recommends that people consume between 0.3 and 0.5 g of two different omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA and DHA, as well as 0.8 to 1.1 g of alpha-linoleic acid, another omega-3 fatty acid. All three of these fatty acids can be found in fish oil supplements.
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