What is High Cholesterol?

In some people, cholesterol levels in blood become too high. This is called high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia.  High levels of LDL Cholesterol (so-called "bad" cholesterol) are considered a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

LDL cholesterol is thought to irritate the lining of blood vessels, stimulating atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

Who Needs to Lower Cholesterol?

High cholesterol is usually treated based on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels, plus the presence of additional risk factors for heart disease:

• Previous heart attack
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Low HDL cholesterol
• Family history of early heart disease
• Age over 45 in men and greater than 55 in women
• 10 year risk of heart attack greater than 20%

Herbs and Supplements for High Cholesterol

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3, also called niacin, is used to lower cholesterol. Specifically, it appears to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.

Well-designed studies have found that niacin lowers LDL cholesterol by approximately 10%, lowers triglycerides by 25%, and raises "good" HDL cholesterol by 15% to 30%. Niacin also appears to significantly lower levels for another risk factor for atherosclerosis, lipoprotein A.
Because of side effects, niacin should not be used to lower cholesterol unless under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.
Niacin can increase the effect of high blood pressure medication or cause nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhoea, gout, and worsen peptic ulcers, or trigger gout, liver inflammation, and high blood sugar.

Artichoke Leaf

There is some research suggesting that artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymnus) may help to lower cholesterol.

Artichoke leaf extract may work by limiting the synthesis of cholesterol in the body.
Artichokes also contain a compound called cynarin, believed to increase bile production in the liver and speed the flow of bile from the gallbladder, both of which may increase cholesterol excretion.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled German study found that 1,800 mg of artichoke extract per day for six weeks significantly lowered total cholesterol by 18.5% compared to 8.6% in the placebo group and lowered LDL cholesterol by 22.9% compared with 6% in the placebo group. The ratio of LDL to HDL decreased by 20% in the artichoke group compared with 7% in the placebo group. There were no adverse effects associated with artichoke use.

Soluble Fiber

Soluble fiber appears to reduce LDL cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Soluble fiber binds with cholesterol so that it is excreted.

Soluble fiber can be found as a dietary supplement, such as psyllium powder, or in foods such as:

• Oats, barley, rye
• Legumes (peas, beans)
• Some fruits such as apples, prunes and berries
• Some vegetables, such as carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, yams

Five to 10 grams a day of soluble fiber has been found to decrease LDL cholesterol by approximately 5%.

Plant Sterols and Stanols

Plant stanols and sterols (such as beta-sitosterol and sitostanol) are naturally-occuring substances found in certain plants. Stanols are also found as dietary supplements or are added to margarine, orange juice, and dressings.

Research suggests that plant stanols and sterols may help to lower cholesterol. They are similar in structure to cholesterol and may help block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines.

Studies have found that stanols significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, but had no significant effect on HDL cholesterol or triglycerides.

Stanols and sterols appear to enhance the effects of other methods to lower cholesterol. In studies, people taking the statin drugs to lower cholesterol had an additional improvement in their cholesterol levels with stanols/sterols.

Other Supplements

Co Q 10
Garlic
Pantothine
Red Yeast Rice