There is some limited evidence that suggests green tea may have a modest cholesterol-lowering effect. The FDA has determined that red yeast rice that contains more than trace amounts of a substance called monacolin K is an unapproved new drug and cannot be sold legally as a dietary supplement.

Monacolin K is chemically identical to the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, and some red yeast rice contains substantial amounts of this substance.

Red yeast rice that contains monacolin K may lower blood cholesterol levels, but it can also cause the same types of side effects and drug interactions as lovastatin. Researchers have not reported results of any studies of red yeast rice products that contain little or no monacolin K, so whether these products have any effect on blood cholesterol is unknown.

Long-term dietary intake of oats or oat bran can have a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol. Studies suggest that there is a beneficial effect of oat consumption on reducing the risk of cardio vascular disease CVD by lowering total and LDL-cholesterol.

Anderson JW, Bush HM. Soy protein effects on serum lipoproteins: a quality assessment and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled studies.

J Am Coll Nutr. Edel AL, Rodriguez-Leyva D, Maddaford TG, et al. Dietary flaxseed independently lowers circulating cholesterol and lowers it beyond the effects of cholesterol-lowering medications alone in patients with peripheral artery disease.

J Nutr. Giolo JS, Costa JG, da Cunha-Junior JP, et al. The effects of isoflavone supplementation plus combined exercise on lipid levels, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women. Gordon RY, Cooperman T, Obermeyer W, et al.

Marked variability of monacolin levels in commercial red yeast rice products: buyer beware! Arch Intern Med. Onakpoya I, Spencer E, Heneghan C, et al. The effect of green tea on blood pressure and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. Pan A, Yu D, Demark-Wahnefried W, et al. Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids. Am J Clin Nutr. Reinhart KM, Talati R, White CM, et al.

The impact of garlic on lipid parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Res Rev. Ried K. Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulated serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: an updated meta-analysis and review.

Ripsin CM, Keenan JM, Jacobs DRJ, et al. Oat products and lipid lowering. A meta-analysis. Shaghaghi A, Abumweis SS, Jones PJ. J Acad Nutr Diet. Thies F, Masson LF, Boffetta P, Kris-Etherton P. Oats and CVD risk markers: a systematic literature review.

Br J Nutr. Tokede OA, Onabanjo TA, Yansane A, et al. Soya products and serum lipids: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Yuan F, Dong H, Fang K, et al.

Effects of green tea on lipid metabolism in overweight or obese people: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Mol Ntr Food Res.

Zheng XX, Xu YL, Li SH, et al. Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials.

NCCIH Clinical Digest is a service of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH, DHHS. NCCIH Clinical Digest, a monthly e-newsletter, offers evidence-based information on complementary health approaches, including scientific literature searches, summaries of NCCIH-funded research, fact sheets for patients, and more.

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VIEW ALL HISTORY. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers. Men and women may experience different symptoms of a heart attack. Coronary heart disease CHD is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States.

Learn about the causes and risks factors of CHD. Follow these tips to prevent heart disease. Discover 28 ways to power up, wind down, and have fun — all in the name of a healthy heart. Work these heart-healthy habits into your lifestyle.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 10 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels. Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — By Matthew Thorpe, MD, PhD and Karen Lamoreux — Updated on December 7, Eat monounsaturated fats Use polyunsaturated fats Limit trans fats Eat soluble fiber Exercise Keep a healthy weight Avoid smoking Drink in moderation Consider plant sterols Try supplements FAQ Takeaway Limiting saturated fats in your diet, along with getting regular exercise and engaging in other healthy practices, may help lower the amount of low-density lipoprotein LDL in your blood.

Focus on monounsaturated fats. Prioritize polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3s. Limit trans fats. Eat soluble fiber. Maintain a healthy-for-you weight. Avoid smoking. Consume alcohol in moderation. Consider plant sterols and stanols.

Try supplements. Frequently asked questions. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. Last but not least, Cho says that getting plenty of fiber in your diet—something most Americans fail to do—is extremely important.

But supplements can also help you get there. Cho says ground psyllium seed—sold under the brand name Metamucil, and also in less-expensive but identical generic products—is a helpful source of soluble fiber that can reduce your LDL levels.

Read More: What to Know About High Cholesterol in Kids. Exercise is one way to pump up your HDL levels. However, when it comes to the best type of exercise for your cholesterol, the research is all over the place.

One review of studies, published in in the journal Systematic Review , found that yoga has the strongest evidence in favor of its cholesterol-improving benefits. While many other types of exercise are undeniably good for your heart and vascular system—and some, like swimming and cycling, have been found to reduce cholesterol—more research is needed to determine which are the best at shifting cholesterol scores.

Intermittent fasting plans come in a lot of different forms, but one type known as time-restricted eating has generated a lot of promising research findings. Time-restricted feeding involves a daily fast, usually anywhere from 12 to 16 hours, while the rest of the day is open for normal eating.

For example, you might eat lunch, dinner, and snacks between the hours of noon and 8 p. But the rest of the day, you avoid all caloric foods and beverages. Time-restricted eating has been linked to significant weight loss—which often improves cholesterol scores—as well as lower LDL and total cholesterol.

There are other ways to improve your cholesterol naturally. But focusing on what and how you eat, as well as your exercise habits, is what experts say matter most.

Researchers have found that taking steps to lower your cholesterol earlier in life, before that plaque buildup gains momentum, could lead to three-fold reductions in cardiovascular disease compared to delaying these healthy changes until middle age.

Sperling agrees, and says you could think of cholesterol health as similar to an investment portfolio: the earlier you start, the greater the eventual profit. Cho says that changing diet and lifestyle to lower cholesterol can, for example, help those who have heart disease and are already taking cholesterol-lowering medications to avoid stronger drugs and the side-effects they may cause, such as joint pain and muscle spasms.

Read More: High Blood Pressure and Diabetes Are Linked. Cholesterol problems are one of the most common age-related risk factors for heart disease. While drugs can help, improving your eating and exercise habits can save your heart and vascular system from potentially life-threatening risks.

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Plant chemicals called sterols and stanols may help fight cholesterol and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Soybeans, margarine, and orange juice products that include sterols and stanols on their ingredients label are good sources.

Soluble fiber can also help lower cholesterol. Many vegetables and fruits, including apples, bananas , plums, and prunes, are rich in soluble fiber.

Soluble fiber supplements are available for purchase here. Drugs and supplements are not the only options for lowering cholesterol. People may also benefit from making the following lifestyle changes :. While lifestyle can strongly affect cholesterol levels, it is not the only factor.

Even otherwise healthy people may have high cholesterol, particularly when it runs in the family. Cholesterol may also increase with age.

When lifestyle remedies do not work, a person may need to use prescription medications, especially if they have a high risk of heart disease. A person can talk to a cardiologist about the best options for lowering cholesterol. If one drug is ineffective or causes serious side effects, another medication may work better.

Open communication with a doctor can help a person lower their cholesterol and attain better overall health. In this article, we look at a variety of lifestyle changes and natural supplements that help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart….

Statins are drugs that can reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. Learn about the types, their uses, and the risks of taking statins here. There are a few natural alternatives to statins that may help lower cholesterol levels. Learn more. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Drugs to lower cholesterol Natural remedies Other tips Summary.

How we vet brands and products Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site.

To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

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Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Drugs to lower cholesterol. Share on Pinterest Prescription drugs, such as statins, and natural remedies, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may help lower cholesterol.

Natural cholesterol remedies. Lowering cholesterol without drugs. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause. RSV vaccine errors in babies, pregnant people: Should you be worried?

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Natural remedies for high cholesterol levels. The uses and risks of statins. In one study, people who took a soluble fiber supplement three times a day had significantly lower LDL cholesterol after eight weeks.

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.

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. Ueda P, Gulayin P, Danaei G. Long-term moderately elevated LDL-cholesterol and blood pressure and risk of coronary heart disease.

PLoS One. Chan DC, Barrett PHR, Watts GF. Recent explanatory trials of the mode of action of drug therapies on lipoprotein metabolism. Curr Opin Lipidol. American Heart Association. Cholesterol medications. National Institutes of Health, U. 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. Surampudi P, Enkhmaa B, Anuurad E, Berglund L. Lipid lowering with soluble dietary fiber. Gylling H, Simonen P. Phytosterols, phytostanols, and lipoprotein metabolism.

National Archives and Records Administration. Code of federal regulations. Title food and drugs. Subpart E - specific requirements for health claims. 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. Hunter PM, Hegele RA. Functional foods and dietary supplements for the management of dyslipidaemia. Nat Rev Endocrinol.

Lambeau KV, McRorie JW. Fiber supplements and clinically proven health benefits. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 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. 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. Use limited data to select advertising.

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List of Partners vendors. Heart Health. High Cholesterol. By Cathy Wong. Medically reviewed by Anisha Shah, MD. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Supplements and Herbs. Modifying Risk Factors. Alternative Medicine. Frequently Asked Questions.

Common Supplements to Lower Cholesterol Supplement Benefits Risks and Side Effects Typical Adult Dosage Niacin May raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides Flushing or hot flashes, nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, or gout Varies; ask your healthcare provider Soluble fiber May reduce bad cholesterol Bloating, cramping, or gas grams per day Plant sterols and stanols May reduce bad cholesterol Diarrhea 1.

How Fiber Helps Manage Diabetes. What Is a Lipid Panel? Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take for supplements to lower your cholesterol? Learn More: Do All Fiber Supplements Lower Cholesterol Levels? Can fish oil supplements help your cholesterol levels?