If you have to go on medication do so. Flaxseed can be purchased whole or ground. The main polyphenol involved in green tea’s favorable effect on lipid levels is catechins. Studies have tested a number of different supplements, such as red yeast rice, omega-3 fatty acids, spirulina, soy proteins, green tea, lupin, garlic fibers, bergamot and berberine. The trapped cholesterol is prevented from being absorbed and returning back to the liver and instead is carried out of the body helping lower LDL cholesterol. Foods may include certain dairy products, whole grains, almonds and other nuts, fatty fish, pure sugar cane, apple cider vinegar, and many vegetables. Fruits and vegetables, though a source of sterols and stanols, do not offer the substantial quantities of phytosterols you find in legumes, oils and nuts. Last on the list but not least, these fiber-filled legumes are packed with soluble fiber, our friend in helping to reduce LDL cholesterol. Red yeast rice contains natural statins. Almonds are rich in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that blocks absorption of LDL cholesterol and almonds also contain the amino acid arginine necessary for making nitric oxide. It’s also recommended for everything from … Freshly picked green tea leaves. However, authors stress the fact that natural remedies cannot replace statin therapy, which is a tried-and-true way to lower cholesterol and risk for heart events. One option is to reduce cholesterol in a more natural way, namely by what you eat. Commonly used as a beverage this product comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and the extract can be made from the leaves. He is chairman of urology, chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and professor of urology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. Authors also explain that natural remedies may be recommended for patients who can’t tolerate statins. Various epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies. Garlic. Experts believe the addition of supplements could complement existing treatments. There’s not enough evidence to say how well they work and for which patients they’ll work best. Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser: Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain. Pasture-Raised Steak. Many patients who can’t take statins will take non-statin drugs like ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. Since their treatment options are limited, supplements may help further reduce cholesterol levels. The statement’s key purpose was to provide treatment options for patients who can’t take statins due to side effects. It is primarily meant to be used as a laxative but also claims to reduce the risk of heart disease by treating high cholesterol and high blood pressure. First, always listen to your physician and never quit taking your medication without consulting them but do ask questions to thoroughly understand all the options that can be helpful in lowering your cholesterol. Pistachios are rich in monounsaturated fat and antioxidants both of which are heart healthy substances. But with your history of … A recent meta-analysis study showed that garlic appears to be clinically significant in reducing total blood cholesterol along with slightly improving HDL cholesterol. For example, natural remedies may be useful for high-risk patients taking statins who still don’t have their cholesterol under control. Here are some possible cholesterol lowering dietary options to consider: Whole grain oatmeal is an inexpensive nourishing food that has many health benefits including lowering cholesterol but also blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugar and providing fiber to fill you up. Use either the old-fashioned rolled oats, quick cooking oats or steel cut oats as they contain the whole grain. But depending on your cholesterol level, many physicians will prescribe medication such as a statin. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images. They also contain an array of phytochemicals preventing plaque buildup causing atherosclerosis. Oatmeal contains both soluble and insoluble fiber but the soluble fiber contains a component called beta-glucan, which is particularly good in helping lower LDL cholesterol, the bad kind, by blocking the absorption of it. There are various foods which contain natural statins or statin-like properties. Brew a cup of green tea today and enjoy the advantageous health results it can have. Together, almonds and pistachios provide fiber and phytosterols which can block absorption of dietary cholesterol. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com. Statins can be effective in lowering cholesterol but may also cause adverse side effects for some individuals. Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images. Based on the latest evidence, authors explain that certain foods and supplements may aid in cholesterol reduction. These common fruits found year round contain a cholesterol lowering ingredient called pectin. Omega-3: It’s fish oil and you can get a lot of it in salmon. Most of us would rather naturally treat high cholesterol if at all possible. With future research, experts hope to provide more clear recommendations for the use of supplements as a form of cholesterol-lowering treatment. But also making changes in food choices can have a positive impact on bringing your cholesterol back into the normal range. He is a medical correspondent for the Fox News Channel’s Medical A-Team. These have been clinically shown to help lower bad cholesterol just as well or almost as well as many prescription medications. Garlic has a remarkable ability to inhibit cholesterol synthesis and suppress LDL oxidation. The acid in apple cider vinegar acts as … Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images. The humble flaxseed can be a powerhouse in combatting high cholesterol. Apples and oranges also contain a class of antioxidants called polyphenols that can increase HDL cholesterol, the good kind, by helping to counteract atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol and other fatty substances on artery walls. Beans and lentils are fermented in the colon hindering cholesterol production and absorption. Various epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between green tea consumption and cardiovascular health by its effectiveness in treating high cholesterol.