Cholesterol lowering supplements are a natural way to keep your cholesterol under control and maintain your health at an optimum level. Besides watching out for what you eat and do exercises regularly, you can choose from a wide range of supplements to balance your cholesterol level. Yearly, new ingredients are discovered to be benefic in this battle and are used as extracts in new supplements, such as red yeast rice, garlic or ginseng. Still, you need to consider that one thing is not perfect for everyone, so the supplement that made wonders for your best friend can have no effect on you. Moreover, his success may be the result of a special diet of the placebo effect that he forgot to tell you about. Some studies revealed the fact that nonprescription, natural remedies are the ones that work best.
Amongst the most po[censored] r and well known remedies for cholesterol we can find the artichoke leaf extract, a dried extract that was proven to lower the cholesterol level by approximately 23%. Two studies were conducted on this ingredient and the results were highly discrepant due to the administrated doses and the health of the parti[censored] nts. Still, don't expect for your good cholesterol level to increase from this supplements. Fenugreek is a seed used as powder ever since ancient Egyptians times. There were several studies that summarized that high doses of this extract, prepared in different manners and form can dramatically lower both bad and good cholesterol levels. A high amount of dietary fiber is contained in these seeds (about 20% to 50%) and its effects over the cholesterol may be a result of the high content of fiber.
Soluble fiber is found in citrus fruits, barley, oats, bran and peas and dietary supplements, and it affect blood cholesterol at all, but on the other hand it is good for the heart. After test been conducted, it was found to reduce both good and bad cholesterol levels with about 2 points but the quantity that needs to be ingested is a bit higher. We only consume 3 grams of soluble fiber per day when the recommended quantity is about 25 grams per day. The level can be increased through fiber supplements, but the downside is that they can cause indigestions or can interfere with other medication treatments. We also have fish oil, rich in omega 3 acids, DPA and EPA. In studies was demonstrated that the use of 3 grams lowers the triglyceride levels by almost 30% and even increase the level of LDL (good cholesterol) a bit. Still, for people with heart conditions is recommended only on gram per day of a combination between DPA and EPA found in fatty fish, like salmon.
Finally, we have vitamin D3 supplements synthesized by skin when a substance named cholecalciferol reacts to ultraviolet light. Usually, 10 to 15 minutes of face exposure to the sun twice a week is necessary to create an adequate quantity of the vitamin that helps keeping cholesterol under control. The supply of vitamin that is generated from a longer exposure is degraded as fast as it is created.
