You may be able to take supplements to lower your cholesterol levels. Common ones include niacin, fiber, and artichoke leaf. These and other supplements have varying degrees of support from medical science.

When your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (“bad cholesterol”) are high, it increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. You’ll likely be prescribed medicine and told about lifestyle changes that can help, but you may want to take supplements, as well.

This article covers which herbs and supplements may help lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol. It also discusses other ways to reduce high cholesterol and your heart disease risk.

Supplements for Lower Cholesterol

Researchers are still working to confirm the usefulness of supplements in treating high cholesterol. For this reason, it remains unclear who can benefit most from them.

In general, they’re considered safer for younger people with no history or risk factors for heart disease. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin, a form of vitamin B3 also called nicotinic acid, is used to lower cholesterol. It appears that niacin lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides (another form of fat), while raising good cholesterol, also known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Niacin also appears to significantly lower levels of lipoprotein A, another risk factor of atherosclerosis.

Niacin is available in prescription form and as an over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplement. The American Heart Association says you should only use the prescription form of niacin for lowering cholesterol.

Side Effects

Niacin can increase the effect of high blood pressure medication. It also may cause:

  • NauseaIndigestionGasDiarrheaGout

It can also:

  • Worsen peptic ulcers
  • Trigger liver inflammation
  • Cause high blood sugar

The most common side effects of high-dose niacin are:

  • Skin flushingHot flashes

These are caused by the widening of blood vessels. Most people only notice this when they initially start taking niacin. The flushing symptoms may ease if you take niacin with meals.

Some research suggests high doses of niacin might help lower cholesterol when combined with drugs called statins. However, other studies have shown no clinical benefit and the possibility of some harm.

Because the science is inconclusive and it can cause side effects, you should only take niacin for high cholesterol under the close supervision of a healthcare provider.

Soluble Fiber

Soluble fiber appears to lower bad cholesterol by making your intestines absorb less cholesterol from food. Soluble fiber binds with cholesterol so that it is excreted from the body.

Research suggests that between 5 grams (g) and 15 g of soluble fiber a day can lower LDL cholesterol by between 5% and 10%. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows soluble fiber products to indicate that they are “heart-healthy” on the labels.

You can find soluble fiber in OTC dietary supplements such as:

  • Psyllium powder
  • Acacia fiber
  • Nopal cactus (prickly pear)
  • Flaxseeds

It’s also in foods including:

  • Oats, barley, ryeLegumes (peas, beans)Apples, prunes, and berriesCarrots, broccoli, and yamsCarobShirataki noodles

Plant Sterols and Stanols

Plant stanols and sterols, such as beta-sitosterol, are naturally occurring substances found in certain plants. Stanols are also found as dietary supplements. Some are added to:

  • MargarineOrange juiceSalad dressings

Research suggests plant stanols and sterols may help lower cholesterol. Their chemical structure is similar to cholesterol, so it may block cholesterol absorption.

In studies, people taking stanols or sterols with statin drugs had better results than people on statins alone.

The FDA allows companies marketing phytosterols and sterols to make a claim on their labels that the product may work with a low-cholesterol and saturated-fat diet to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Suggested dosages are:

  • Sterols = 0.65 grams (g) twice a day with mealsStanols = 1.7g twice a day with meals

Artichoke Leaf

Some research suggests artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) may help lower cholesterol. Artichoke leaf extract may work by limiting how much cholesterol your body produces.

Artichokes also contain a compound called cynarin. It is believed to increase bile production in the liver and speed the flow of bile from the gallbladder. Both of these actions may help clear cholesterol from your body.

Other Supplements

Other supplements that have been suggested for cholesterol have less evidence of being useful, so more and better-quality evidence is needed. They include:

  • Garlic
  • Policosanol, derived from sugarcane
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • Catechin compounds in green tea
  • Soy
  • Red yeast rice, which has a potential danger because it contains a naturally occurring form of lovastatin, a prescription drug

Modifying Risk Behaviors

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.

While some risk factors cannot be changed, others can. Heart attack risk factors may include:

  • Previous heart attackDiabetesTobacco useHigh blood pressurePhysical inactivityOverweight and obesityFamily history of early heart diseaseBeing postmenopausalBeing over 45 for those assigned male at birth (AMAB)

Modifiable risk factors include not using tobacco, being active, eating a healthy diet, and losing excess weight. You can also take medications to keep high blood pressure and/or diabetes under control.

Using Alternative Medicine

Before you decide to use alternative medicine for high cholesterol:

  • Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements.Make sure your healthcare provider knows all the supplements and medications you are taking.Don’t stop taking any of your existing prescription medications unless your healthcare provider says to.

Remember alternative medicine hasn’t been tested for safety. Get medical advice before giving them to children or taking them while pregnant or nursing.

Discuss with your provider whether it’s safe for you based on your diagnoses and medications.

Summary

Some people use herbs and supplements to help lower their “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise their “good” HDL cholesterols, either on their own or with prescription medications. While many natural remedies are not well supported by research, there are exceptions.

Among the supplements with some proven benefits are niacin, soluble fiber, and phytosterols. Others popularly promoted as “cholesterol-lowering”—such as artichoke leaf extract, garlic, coenzyme Q10, green tea, policosanol, and red yeast rice—lack the scientific evidence to support their use.

Speak with your doctor before using any herb or supplement to treat high cholesterol. In addition to managing your cholesterol with pills, make an effort to eat a healthier diet, exercise regularly, quit cigarettes, and lose weight if needed. Doing so can reduce your overall risk of heart disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does it take for supplements to lower your cholesterol?
  • It varies. In one study, people who took a soluble fiber supplement three times a day had significantly lower LDL cholesterol after eight weeks. In another study, people who took in 2 grams of plant stanols a day for a full year reduced LDL cholesterol by over 10%.
  • Learn More:
  • Do All Fiber Supplements Lower Cholesterol Levels?
  • Can fish oil supplements help your cholesterol levels?
  • Probably not. While fish oil supplements have been found to lower triglycerides, they can actually cause a small increase in LDL cholesterol. You can get more heart-healthy benefits by eating fatty fish like salmon and sardines, which contain omega-3 fatty acids.

It varies. In one study, people who took a soluble fiber supplement three times a day had significantly lower LDL cholesterol after eight weeks. In another study, people who took in 2 grams of plant stanols a day for a full year reduced LDL cholesterol by over 10%.

Probably not. While fish oil supplements have been found to lower triglycerides, they can actually cause a small increase in LDL cholesterol. You can get more heart-healthy benefits by eating fatty fish like salmon and sardines, which contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Cholesterol Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.

  • Ueda P, Gulayin P, Danaei G. Long-term moderately elevated LDL-cholesterol and blood pressure and risk of coronary heart disease. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200017. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200017
  • Chan DC, Barrett PHR, Watts GF. Recent explanatory trials of the mode of action of drug therapies on lipoprotein metabolism. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2016;27(6):550-556. doi:10.1097/MOL.0000000000000348
  • American Heart Association. Cholesterol medications.
  • National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed. NIASPAN- niacin tablet, film coated, extended release.
  • Mani P, Rohatgi A. Niacin therapy, HDL cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease: is the HDL hypothesis defunct? Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2015;17(8):43. doi:10.1007/s11883-015-0521-x
  • Surampudi P, Enkhmaa B, Anuurad E, Berglund L. Lipid lowering with soluble dietary fiber. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2016;18(12):75. doi:10.1007/s11883-016-0624-z
  • Gylling H, Simonen P. Phytosterols, phytostanols, and lipoprotein metabolism. Nutrients. 2015;7(9):7965-7977. doi:10.3390/nu7095374
  • National Archives and Records Administration. Code of federal regulations. Title 21: food and drugs. Subpart E - specific requirements for health claims. § 101.83 Health claims: plant sterol/stanol esters and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • Sahebkar A, Pirro M, Banach M, Mikhailidis DP, Atkin SL, Cicero AFG. Lipid-lowering activity of artichoke extracts: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2018;58(15):2549-2556. doi:10.1080/10408398.2017.1332572
  • Hunter PM, Hegele RA. Functional foods and dietary supplements for the management of dyslipidaemia. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017;13(5):278-288. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2016.210
  • Lambeau KV, McRorie JW. Fiber supplements and clinically proven health benefits. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2017;29(4):216-223. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12447
  • Párraga-Martínez I, López-Torres-Hidalgo JD, del Campo-del Campo JM, et al. Long-term effects of plant stanols on the lipid profile of patients with hypercholesterolemia. A randomized clinical trial. Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2015;68(8):665-671. doi:10.1016/j.rec.2014.07.035
  • Harvard University Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. Dietary supplements for cholesterol: are any worth a try?

By Cathy Wong

Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman’s World, and Natural Health.