Supplements and Vitamins for Cholesterol

Can Vitamins and Supplements Help With Cholesterol?

Written and Clinically Verified by: Matt Marshall, PharmD.

When your cholesterol is on the line – what are the first things the doctor probably tells you to do?

• Lose weight
• Exercise
• Watch your diet

Right before you are sent on your way with a new prescription, right?

It’s not that none of the above mentioned things aren’t effective – because they definitely are. But isn’t there more you can do to get your cholesterol and/or heart health on track – and keep it that way?

There’s good news and not-so-bad news in this department. The not-so-bad news is that once you reach the stage of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), prescription medications really are the quickest and most effective way to lower those cholesterol numbers and maintain your cardiovascular health.

But then there’s the good news – As your doctor may have told you, these conditions can be reversible or prevented outright. In this article we take a look at a variety of vitamins and supplements proven to show benefit in helping you manage or prevent cardiovascular complications.

To start off , take a look at the chart below for a quick reference of the supplements we’ll discuss. Feel free to save the chart and share it around if you think it’ll be helpful!

Garlic

If you’ve read the other articles for cardiovascular health and circulation- yes, we have mentioned garlic in all of them. The truth is that garlic is just that amazing for the heart. Not only does it lower blood pressure, but it helps prevent stiffening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), AND helps lower LDL (bad cholesterol).

The only reasons not to take this for heart health are because of the smell (taking it in capsules prevents that) or because you are allergic (in which case, please continue not taking it).

How to take: 300-400mg taken twice to three times daily (same as above).

fish Oil

Fish oil’s benefits come from its Omega-3 fatty acids. In this instance we suggest it for cholesterol support due to its effect on raising HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering Triglycerides (can contribute to heart disease).

The other great thing about Omega-3 supplementation is that it has a ton of positive effects for all aspects of your health. It contributes to improved mood, inflammation, pain, energy levels, and as mentioned here, heart health.

How to take: 1000mg Omega-3 fatty acids daily. If the capsules cause the “fish burp” as a side effect, stick them in the freezer to thicken the capsule shell and prevent the fish breath. Just don’t forget you put them there!

Red Yeast Rice

In trying to look out for our readers, we bring this supplement up not to suggest its use – but rather to warn against it. The active ingredient in Red yeast rice is monocolin K, which also happens to be the active ingredient in Lovastatin, a prescription medication for cholesterol. As such, the FDA has banned the sale of supplements containing a “higher than negligible” composition of monocolin K, rendering any current products you may see on the shelf pretty much useless. Even though this is the case, you can certainly expect to see this supplement still suggested and sold in other places, so buyer beware.

How to take it: Don’t. Enough said.

CoQ10

Full rationale: CoQ10 is essential for a step of energy production by the mitochondria. While it is usually produced by the body, deficiencies can arise (deficiencies that are easily corrected by taking this supplement) from aging, statin (prescription medication for cholesterol) use, or from weakened cardiac tissue after a heart attack. Taking this supplement as a measure for general heart health and energy is optional; however, taking this in the case of any of the above mentioned conditions is highly recommended.

How to take: Take 200mg once daily with a meal