Low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL cholesterol, composes between 66 to 75 percent of the cholesterol in your blood. LDL is sometimes called the "bad" type of cholesterol, because an excess amount in the blood can stick to the interior walls of blood vessels, causing plaque buildup. Plaque blocks blood flow through the vessels. Clots can also form around plaque; if the clots break loose, they can travel to the brain and lodge in blood vessels there, causing a stroke. A number of dietary measures and alternative medications can reduce LDL, but should not be tried without your medical practitioner's approval.
Foods
Foods high in soluble fiber can lower LDL levels, and so can fatty cold-water fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. One prescription medication, Lovaza, consists of high-dose fish oil. Plant sterols, found in many fruits, vegetables and nuts, can also help lower LDL. Olive oil has also shown LDL-reducing properties. Soy may also lower cholesterol levels. The Health Castle website states that eating 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber per day can lower LDL by 5 percent, while soy can lower LDL by 3 percent.
Vitamins
Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is given as a prescription medication in high doses to lower LDL levels. Niacin has a number of unpleasant side effects and should not be taken in large doses without your doctor's approval, however. Some studies have shown that vitamin B-5, also called pantothenic acid, may reduce LDL when taken at levels of 300 mg two to four times a day, the University of Michigan Health System explains. Taking vitamin C has also showed benefit in studies, in amounts ranging from 100 mg to 1 g per day, according to UMHS.
Supplements
A number of other herbs and supplements have shown benefit in lowering cholesterol in some studies. Red yeast rice extract contains lovastatin, a prescription medication sold to lower cholesterol. Others that show some benefit include artichoke extract, barley, green tea extract, garlic extract and blond psyllium, MayoClinic.com reports.
Risks
Some alternative treatments to lower cholesterol can have undesirable side effects. Supplements containing red yeast rice, because they're not controlled by the United States Food and Drug Administration, may contain too much or too little lovastatin. One red yeast rice product, Cholestin, is banned in the United States. Fish oil supplements can cause excessive bleeding in people taking blood thinners. High doses of niacin can cause liver damage as well as side effects such as headache, stomachache, flushing and eye damage.
Considerations
When you have high cholesterol, you shouldn't pick and choose between various supplements on your own. Some medicines react with each other or block the effects of other drugs; talk with your doctor about which supplements might benefit you, MayoClinic.com suggests. For some people, alternative treatments aren't enough to lower LDL cholesterol levels. While diet modifications and supplements can have benefit, they're not a substitute for regular medical care to monitor your cholesterol levels.
