Alternative treatments for high cholesterol

Dietary supplements are the mainstays of alternative treatment for high cholesterol. A variety of root and plant products are gaining attention in the medical community as potentially effective and beneficial treatments for this condition. The following table summarizes the principal alternative medicine therapies aimed at lowering cholesterol.

Alternative treatments for high cholesterol

Alternative treatment	What it is	Side effects	Support
Psyllium	Fiber found in outer coverings of fleawort and plantago seeds Ingredient in some dietary supplements (for example, Metamucil)	Increased bowel movements	FDA-approved and regulated as associated with decreased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD)
Red yeast	Yeast indigenous to China Contains a natural form of lovastatin, a common prescription cholesterol-lowering drug Commonly found in red yeast rice	Excessive quantities can lead to dangerously low levels of cholesterol	Heber D, et al. (1999). Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(2): 231–236
Sterol or stanol esters	Naturally occurring compound, found in plant extract Therapeutic ingredient in cholesterol-lowering margarine spreads	None, when taken as prescribed	FDA-approved

Psyllium: Doctors are not entirely sure how psyllium works to improve cholesterol levels. It is believed that psyllium reduces the ability of the small intestine to absorb cholesterol, and therefore the amount of cholesterol that enters your blood is reduced.

Red yeast: The natural equivalent of lovastatin in red yeast, called monacolin K (mevinolin), decreases cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver. Although red yeast is potentially very effective in lowering cholesterol, many experts urge caution when eating it. Despite the therapeutic effects of red yeast, there is currently no way to guarantee its safety by ensuring a safe dose.

Some people who have eaten large quantities of red yeast rice have experienced dangerously low levels of cholesterol (hypocholesterolemia). A better alternative may be to take dietary supplements that contain the beneficial components of red yeast. Several companies are selling red yeast derivatives called Cholestin. It is extremely important that you talk with your doctor before taking such supplements because they could potentially cause dangerous side effects. Do not take these supplements if you are taking statins. Dangerous side effects may result from the combination.

Sterol esters: Sterol esters may lower LDL cholesterol levels by blocking receptors in the small intestine that are responsible for absorbing dietary cholesterol. Sterol and stanol esters are the active ingredient in cholesterol-lowering margarine spreads, such as Take Control and Benecol.

Regardless of whether you start a new alternative treatment, you must continue your diet, exercise, and prescription medicines. As with any new form of treatment, you should consult your doctor first.