How to Lower Cholesterol With Nutritional Supplements

Having high cholesterol is widely considered to be a major risk factor for developing heart disease. For this reason, when doctors detect that a patient has high cholesterol, they often prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins. However, if you do not want to use prescription medication, you may be able to lower your cholesterol with nutritional supplements. Here's how.

Instructions

• 1

  Add fiber to your diet. This can be in the form of over-the-counter fiber supplements, or you can simply increase your intake of rough vegetables such as carrots and squash.

• 2

  Season with garlic. Multiple studies have found that garlic intake can lower cholesterol. Raw garlic is probably ideal, but if you are concerned about your breath, you can find deodorized garlic oil supplements.

• 3

  Look into Red Yeast Rice. Many people swear by Red Yeast Rice as a way to reduce cholesterol, but there has been some controversy over Red Yeast Rice in recent years after one drug manufacturer found that the compound in Red Yeast Rice was the same as one in a regulated cholesterol medication.

• 4

  Take B-complex supplements. Some of the B vitamins will help to lower your cholesterol, but it is best to take the B vitamins together rather than individually.

• 5

  Get the right kinds of fat. Try to reduce your intake of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids, but monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish oil) can be beneficial for your cholesterol levels.

• 6

  Eat cinnamon. One study found that eating significant amounts of powdered cinnamon led to cholesterol reduction in study participants, although the findings still need further research. However, if you eat oatmeal (which is also linked to reduced risk of heart disease), try pouring 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or more on your morning oatmeal since it certainly can't hurt to try it.

• 7

  Take extracts of colorful berries, such as blueberries, or eat berries straight up. Blueberries have a compound that has a powerful ability to reduce cholesterol. Grapes have shown promise also.