Heart and Circulation | Cholesterol-Lowering - Lower Your Cholesterol
If you're worried about your cholesterol level and have started exercising and eating healthier foods, you might wonder if a dietary supplement could help. With your doctor's OK, here are some cholesterol-improving supplements to consider.
Cholesterol-improving supplement
What it might do
Side effects and drug interactions
Berberine
May reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol and triglycerides
May cause diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea or vomiting; may cause harm to babies during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Fish oil
May reduce triglycerides
May cause a fishy aftertaste, bad breath, gas, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; may interact with some blood-thinning medications
Flaxseed, ground
May reduce LDL cholesterol
May cause gas, bloating or diarrhea; may interact with some blood-thinning medications
Garlic
May slightly reduce cholesterol but studies have been conflicting
May cause bad breath, body odor, nausea, vomiting and gas; may interact with some blood-thinning medications
Green tea or green tea extract
May lower LDL cholesterol
May cause nausea, vomiting, gas or diarrhea; may interact with blood-thinning medications
Niacin
May lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; may improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol
May cause itching and flushing, which are more common at the higher doses usually needed to have an effect on cholesterol
Plant stanols and sterols
May reduce LDL cholesterol, particularly in people with a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
