Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationKahi Mohala
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Kāhi Mōhala
  • Ask an Expert
  • Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol
Content

Ask An Expert

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Ask the Expert Team

Ask the Expert Team

Sutter Health

Question:

I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?

Answer:

A Chinese food supplement called Red Rice Yeast has been shown by reasonable scientific studies to lower cholesterol as well as bad cardiovascular events by 15-30 percent. Suggested dose is one to four of the 600 mg capsules at bedtime. It is available at Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe's and many drugstore chains. I prescribe it to my patients who are unable or unwilling to take prescription statins (Lipitor and the like). Since it is like a “natural” statin, I still monitor the patient's blood tests for the rare liver side effect, and to see how well it works on the bad (LDL) cholesterol after about two months of use.

Omega-3 fatty acids are another supplement that can have a modest lowering effect on a blood lipid called triglycerides. But you'd need to take over 3,000 mg to get a significant reduction. Cutting down on dietary carbs and exercise are much more effective by comparison.

The medical literature does not show any evidence for garlic or its extracts to have any effect on cholesterol, contrary to some beliefs.

Caveat: Food supplements are not regulated by the FDA. So make sure you buy the most reputable brand you can find in order to avoid inconsistent dosages and contaminants.

Related Questions

Question
  • Saw Palmetto for Prostate Cancer?
    Is there any benefit to taking supplements such as Saw Palmetto to help reduce or prevent prostate cancer? I have read conflicting articles. I am 70 years old and have been on active surveillance for prostate cancer since early 2010.
  • Melatonin for Kids?
    My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?
  • Heart Disease and Vitamin D Deficiency
    I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?
  • What is Statin Therapy?
    What is statin therapy and what are the side effects of this drug?
  • Can Vitamin D Help Reduce Back Pain?
    I have been dealing with chronic pain from a back injury for a number of years. I read recently that vitamin D can help reduce pain. Is this true, and if so should I start taking a supplement?

Back to Heart Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences