In This ArticleView AllIn This Article4 Supplements You Shouldn’t Be Taking If You Have High CholesterolTips for Healthy Eating If You Have High CholesterolFAQs
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
4 Supplements You Shouldn’t Be Taking If You Have High Cholesterol
Tips for Healthy Eating If You Have High Cholesterol
FAQs
In this article, you will learn about four supplements you should not take if you have high cholesterol. These supplements can interact with medications, or the contents in them vary widely, and it is difficult to determine the effects they can have on your health.
1. Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral that plays a role in maintaining fluid balance within cells. Eatingfoods rich in potassiumis often recommended for lowering blood pressure. That’s because potassium helps to remove sodium from your body via urine, which in turn can help to lower blood pressure, especially for people who consume a high-sodium diet.
Having high blood pressure and high cholesterolcan often co-exist.That said, if you have been prescribed medicines to help lower your blood pressure, potassium supplements may not be safe. TakingACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitorsreduces urinary excretion of potassium and can lead to hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood).Sudden hyperkalemiacan cause heart palpitations, chest pain, nausea or vomiting. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening.
Instead of taking a supplement, focus on getting potassium through nutritious foods, like fruits, vegetables, fish and low-fat dairy products.
2. Red yeast rice
In addition, some products have been shown to be contaminated. In a2021 analysis of 37 red yeast rice products, only one had levels below the maximum level of citrinin, a mycotoxin that can cause kidney damage at high levels.
3. Garlic supplements
Garlichas numerous health benefits—it is a prebiotic (which means it helps feed the good bacteria in our guts) and may have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Raw garlic and garlic supplements have been studied for their use in lowering cholesterol. Allicin, a bioactive compound, is thought to induce this effect. In ameta-analysis, researchers found that garlic helped reduce total and LDL cholesterol.
Eating garlic is safe for most people and can have health benefits, but garlic can have mildanticoagulating effects. Therefore, if you take blood thinners, NSAIDs or have a bleeding disorder, you should probably avoid garlic supplements (as supplements are more concentrated). Other side effects include body odor, upset stomach and heartburn.
4. Combination supplements
Getty Images
If you have high cholesterol, eating a diet that is rich in fiber and lower in saturated fat can yield positive results.Soluble fiberacts like a sponge and can help usher cholesterol and fat out of the body. Foods that contain soluble fiber include vegetables, fruits, legumes, oats and whole grains. Fiber has a filling effect, too. Eating more fiber can help you feel more satisfied from eating less, which may help support weight-loss efforts.Researchhas found that losing weight may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels.
To reduce your intake of saturated fats, opt to eat less fatty meats, fried foods and full-fat dairy products. For example, instead of fried chicken with the skin, choose baked chicken breast or roast a whole chicken and pair it with sautéed vegetables and seasoned sweet potatoes. Consider limiting red meat to no more than twice per week, and choose leaner cuts when possible. Choose lower-fat dairy products or simply use a smaller portion of the real deal. Include sources ofunsaturated fatsin your diet to promote heart health, add flavor and help with feelings of fullness. Avocado, nuts, seeds and olive oil are excellent sources of unsaturated fats.
The Bottom Line
If you think you want to try a supplement to help lower your cholesterol levels, it’s important to know that not all supplements are created equal and, because they are not regulated, there can be risks. Supplements can be contaminated, produce unwanted side effects, interfere with your medications and drain your wallet.
Before spending money on things that may not work, consider making some changes to how you eat and how much you move. Small, sustainable changes can go a long way. If you need assistance in sorting through supplements, discuss it with a registered dietitian or your medical provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two main types of cholesterol—low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). To keep your heart healthy, you want your LDL to be low and your HDL to be high. High levels of LDL can contribute to clogged arteries, and low levels of HDL are associated with heart disease.HDL carries LDL particlesout of your blood to your liver, so they can be metabolized and excreted.
How supplemental vitamin D affects cholesterol levels continues to be evaluated. Arecent meta-analysisconcluded that vitamin D supplementation reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but not HDL. This appears to be more beneficial for those people who have vitamin D insufficiency, as low vitamin D is associated with abnormal cholesterol levels. However, more research is needed to determine the exact effects of vitamin D supplementation on cholesterol levels.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
