eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Lower Cholesterol With Nutritional Supplements

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Having high cholesterol is widely considered to be a major risk factor for developing heart disease. For this reason, when doctors detect that a patient has high cholesterol, they often prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins. However, if you do not want to use prescription medication, you may be able to lower your cholesterol with nutritional supplements. Here's how.

From Quick Guide: A to Z Nutritional Supplement
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Add fiber to your diet. This can be in the form of over-the-counter fiber supplements, or you can simply increase your intake of rough vegetables such as carrots and squash.

  2. Step 2

    Season with garlic. Multiple studies have found that garlic intake can lower cholesterol. Raw garlic is probably ideal, but if you are concerned about your breath, you can find deodorized garlic oil supplements.

  3. Step 3

    Look into Red Yeast Rice. Many people swear by Red Yeast Rice as a way to reduce cholesterol, but there has been some controversy over Red Yeast Rice in recent years after one drug manufacturer found that the compound in Red Yeast Rice was the same as one in a regulated cholesterol medication.

  4. Step 4

    Take B-complex supplements. Some of the B vitamins will help to lower your cholesterol, but it is best to take the B vitamins together rather than individually.

  5. Step 5

    Get the right kinds of fat. Try to reduce your intake of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids, but monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish oil) can be beneficial for your cholesterol levels.

  6. Step 6

    Eat cinnamon. One study found that eating significant amounts of powdered cinnamon led to cholesterol reduction in study participants, although the findings still need further research. However, if you eat oatmeal (which is also linked to reduced risk of heart disease), try pouring 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or more on your morning oatmeal since it certainly can't hurt to try it.

  7. Step 7

    Take extracts of colorful berries, such as blueberries, or eat berries straight up. Blueberries have a compound that has a powerful ability to reduce cholesterol. Grapes have shown promise also.

Tips & Warnings
  • Having an overall healthy diet and exercise routine will help reduce your cholesterol in addition to nutritional supplements.
  • Avoid any products that make unrealistic claims or promises in their sales pitches.
  • If your cholesterol level is dangerously high, stay in touch with your doctor and get your levels checked again to verify that your nutritional approach is actually working to lower your cholesterol.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Health Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health