Supplements to Elevate HDL

Many different forms of dietary supplements encourage the body to produce high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which is the "good" form of cholesterol that contributes to cardiovascular health.

Identification

• HDL is touted as the "good" form of cholesterol due to its role as the eliminator of excess cholesterol in the body.

Types

• Medical professionals consider supplements to elevate HDL a helpful option. "Some for which current evidence suggests possible benefits include plant sterols such as beta-sitosterol and sitostanol (typically found in margarine spreads such as Promise activ or Benecol), omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, fish oil supplements), and flaxseed oil or grain," says the Mayo Clinic.

Omega-3

• Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and herring, are available as dietary supplements and estimated to increase levels of HDL by as much as 10 percent.

Niacin

• Niacin is a B vitamin that turns carbohydrates into energy and raises HDL levels between 15 and 35 percent. Taken as prescription medication or over-the-counter supplements, niacin serves a dual purpose in also lowering LDL.

Warning

• Recent research indicates that popular dietary supplements like antioxidants and zinc negatively affect HDL numbers. "Zinc supplements could increase the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) in healthy people by decreasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels," according to a report published by the Baylor College of Medicine.