As people are more and more looking to take control of their own medical care, supplements continue to grow as a viable option over prescription drugs. When it comes to the world of high cholesterol there are many cholesterol lowering supplements that can be added to your daily routine that can lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, and help you to feel better overall.
As studies continue to be done, there will be more supplements available to help with cholesterol health. But for now here is some of the best cholesterol lowering supplements that continue to prove themselves as a healthy alternative to prescription drugs.
Supplements
Before starting on any supplement it is important to check in with your doctor or other medical professional. This is especially true if you are already taking other supplements or prescription drugs. Some supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of other supplements or drugs and you want to make sure that you are keeping your body healthy.
Red Yeast Rice – This is a new supplement to the scene of cholesterol lowering supplements. It has been used in China for thousands of years and its active ingredient has shown remarkable positive effects on high cholesterol. The FDA has banned the active ingredient so the red yeast rice available in the United States is not as effective as the true natural supplement found in China.
Oat Bran – Oat bran, oatmeal, and oats in general are great for helping to lower high cholesterol. They are high in soluble fiber which helps the body stop absorption of cholesterol. The important part of adding this supplement to the diet is consistency. You need at least five to ten grams for real cholesterol lowering supplements effectiveness. The average morning bowl of oatmeal is around seven grams.
Artichoke Extract – This is another natural cholesterol lowering supplement and it can be taken in pill form. This herbal supplement has been proven to be effective in lowering the bad cholesterol levels as well as increasing the good cholesterol levels.
Fish Oil – This supplement can be taking in pill form or it can be taken from eating the fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon. Fish oil helps to increase the good levels of cholesterol; which in turn will help to lower the bad levels.
Garlic – Garlic is another of the cholesterol lowering supplements that can be taken in many different forms. Garlic can be taken as an extract, a pill, or in food. Garlic is good for your body on many levels and can help fight off colds and infection as well as lower cholesterol. But garlic can also interfere with blood thinners, so it is important to check with your doctor before adding a regular garlic supplement into your daily routine.
Green Tea – This supplement is high in antioxidants which offer many different health benefits. In order for green tea to be effective for your cholesterol levels you will need to drink eight to ten cups of it a day. Green tea is also high in caffeine, so make sure that you don’t have a negative reaction to caffeine before adding this cholesterol lowering supplement to your day.