Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, is a common health problem. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is usually caused by lack of exercise and eating foods that are high in saturated fats. If there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it sticks to the artery walls, narrowing blood flow and increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. You can lower your cholesterol levels by giving up by smoking, losing excess weight, exercising more and eating low-fat foods. However, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. Some natural substances may also help to lower high cholesterol, but they should not be used in place of dietary modifications or medicines your doctor prescribes.
Examples
Examples of natural substances that may lower high cholesterol include policosanol and garlic. Policosanol is a waxy substance that comes from sugarcane, beeswax and wheat germ. The Mississippi Baptist Health Systems website notes that it reduces cholesterol levels, and as such, is used to treat hypercholesterolemia in several Latin American countries. Garlic is commonly used to flavor cooking, but is also sometimes used as an alternative medicine for cancer, atherosclerosis and high cholesterol.
Administration
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 900 mg of garlic powder that is standardized to contain 0.6 percent allicin, garlic's active ingredient, daily. Alternatively, you may prefer to eat one clove of raw garlic daily. UMMC notes that taking 5 to 10 mg of policosanol twice daily may help to lower high cholesterol. Check with your doctor or pharmacist that these doses are appropriate for you. You may need to amend these doses slightly if you are taking prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Scientific Evidence
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that a number of studies demonstrate that policosanol can improve cholesterol levels and that may even be as effective as statins. However, it adds that most of the studies have been done by one research group with financial links to a policosanol manufacturer, so it is difficult to know how reliable the research is. An analysis of data from 13 randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trials, published in the September 2000 issue of the "Annals of Internal Medicine" conclude that garlic is more effective than placebo in reducing cholesterol levels, but that its effect is modest.
Safety Considerations
Using policosanol for up to two years is likely safe most people, according to RxList. However, side effects may include migraines, irritability, upset stomach and weight loss. Garlic is also likely safe but it may cause mild side effects including body odor, diarrhea, increased sweating and fatigue. Don't use either of these supplements if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking anticoagulants, as they may increase the risk of bleeding.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypercholesterolemia; Dec. 17, 2008
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Garlic; Nov. 9, 2010
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems; Policosanol; February 2011
- RxList: Policosanol
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Garlic for Treating Hypercholesterolemia. A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials; C. Stevinson, et al.; September 2009
