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Alternatives to Statin Drugs for Lower Cholesterol

For many people, lowering blood cholesterol is a very important part of maintaining optimum health. High cholesterol levels have been linked to heart disease and stroke. There are many ways to lower your blood cholesterol, including statin drugs. Statin drugs, however, can have side effects, and many people prefer to try natural alternative methods before starting a statin regimen.

  1. Foods

    • One good way to lower cholesterol without statin drugs is to eat foods which are known to reduce cholesterol. According to the Mayo Clinic, oat bran and oatmeal are excellent foods for cholesterol reduction. Most nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts, can help reduce cholesterol. Fish like cod and salmon are good sources of omega-3 fatty acid, which is known to help reduce blood levels of cholesterol. Beans contain a lot of fiber and can also lead to lower cholesterol levels.

    Oils

    • Use oils with a good balance of polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids. Cooking oils that have a good balance include olive oil and sunflower oil. Safflower oil is a good high-heat oil in limited quantities. Canola oil, called rapeseed oil outside of the United States, is another oil with a high smoke point that is low in saturated fats with a good balance of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. High smoke points allow an oil to be used at higher heats.

    Herbs

    • Even if you are cooking with good oils and eating foods that naturally result in lower cholesterol, there is still more you can do to lower your cholesterol without using statin drugs. Some herbs are also good for lowering cholesterol and can be used in combination of other foods and cooking oils. Herbs that can be added include turmeric, green tea, olive leaves and ginger. Fenugreek, sesame, and shiitake can also be added to dishes to create tasty, cholesterol-healthy meals.

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