How to Control High Cholesterol With Supplements

A certain amount of cholesterol is essential to maintain healthy bodily function, but too much cholesterol in the blood is a common disease, known as "high cholesterol" or hyperlipidemia. When high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) exist, plaque can form in the arteries, leading to heart disease.

It is possible to maintain healthy cholesterol levels through a healthy diet, but vitamins and supplements are available to help control high cholesterol.

Instructions

• 1

  Control high cholesterol with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil. Fish oil combats the development of plaque in the arteries. HealthLine states that in addition, consuming large quantities of fish oil significantly lowers levels of triglyceride (fat in the blood). Fish oil is available in capsule form as a nutritional supplement.

• 2

  Control high cholesterol with vitamin B-3 (niacin). Niacin reduces LDL levels and increases the "good cholesterol" HDL. These high-density lipoproteins break down bad cholesterol and transport it to the liver where it can be processed.

  Niacin is commonplace in multivitamins, but taking large doses, such as those offered in pure niacin supplements, is linked to a number of side effects. For this reason, the American Heart Association recommends only taking it when prescribed.

• 3

  Control high cholesterol with vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which prevents the buildup of plaque in the arteries, thus lowering LDL levels. Furthermore, vitamin C is water soluble, and therefore harmless, as the body can process and flush out what it does not need. Vitamin C is a natural, safe nutritional supplement.

• 4

  Control high cholesterol with red yeast rice. Available in tablet form, red yeast rice can lower harmful LDL levels and blood triglycerides. It's active ingredient, "lovastatin", is so potent that it is not available over the counter, but is used in many cholesterol-lowering medications.

• 5

  Control high cholesterol using a specifically designed supplement containing a variety of cholesterol-lowering vitamins and minerals. These can often be quite expensive, with little research to back up often inflated claims of cholesterol-lowering capabilities. Consult with your doctor and research what's available. See the resources for a comprehensive review of these supplements.