Herbal alternatives to statins for lowering cholesterol include Red Yeast Rice, containing natural statins (monacolin K), psyllium husk (soluble fiber), plant sterols/stanols (in fortified foods), omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, and artichoke extract, but these have varying evidence and may not replace statins for heart attack/stroke prevention, so consulting a doctor is crucial before stopping prescribed medication.
7 natural alternatives to statins that claim to lower cholesterol
Synsepalum dulcificum (Miracle fruit) is a tropical plant in West and Central Africa, which has been historically used for treating diarrhea in humans and animals. Pharmacological research has shown that the leaves of the plant possess anti-hyperlipidemia activity.
Improve your diet.
The best way to lower your dietary cholesterol is to reduce your intake of saturated fat and trans fat. This means limiting red and processed meats, dairy products with whole milk, and fried foods. Try cooking with healthy plant oils such as olive oil, flaxseed oil or grapeseed oil.
Eat less fatty food
Other medicines for high cholesterol
Other medicines may be used if statins do not work or you do not want to take statins. These include: other tablets – such as ezetimibe, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants (also called resins) and bempedoic acid. injections – such as alirocumab, evolocumab and inclisiran.
Eat healthy foods: Experts recommend to reduce your intake of food with high saturated fats, such as baked goods, red meats and fried food. Oats, beans, apples, grapes, fish and nuts are some of the foods that can help lower your bad cholesterol.
Xuezhikang was the most commonly used herbal formula investigated. A significant effect on total cholesterol (two trial, 254 participants) was shown in favor of Xuezhikang when compared with inositol nicotinate (mean difference (MD) ‐0.90 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) ‐1.13 to ‐0.68) .
Dietary strategies: Reducing saturated fats, avoiding trans fats, and eating more fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and omega-3-rich foods (like sardines, mackerel, salmon) Lifestyle changes: Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, and managing stress.
To remove cholesterol from your body, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating more soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil, fish), exercising regularly (30 mins most days), losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, as these changes lower bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol, with some people needing medication for more severe cases.
A few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health:
Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.
The TLC diet recommends limiting serving sizes or replacing foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol with healthier options. Fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans and lentils), nuts, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy products, fish, poultry without the skin, and in moderate amounts, lean meats are good options.
Likewise, the 2021 meta-analysis also suggested a link between apple cider vinegar consumption and a reduction in total cholesterol, which was most pronounced in people with Type 2 diabetes and those who drank up to 15 mL/day for more than eight weeks.
Following a four-week consumption of Benecol® yogurt drink, total cholesterol was reduced by 15.6 mg/dl and proportionally by 7.2 percent compared to placebo drink (p = 0.001, Tables 3 and 4) The reduction of LDL cholesterol, when measured directly or calculated by the Friedwald equation was higher.
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.
Fenugreek. According to a 2020 review of studies, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) may be an effective medicinal plant for people seeking to improve their cholesterol levels. It lowers TC, TG, and LDL levels and raises HDL levels.
High cholesterol is caused by a mix of unhealthy lifestyle habits (poor diet high in saturated/trans fats, sugar, lack of exercise, smoking, excess alcohol, obesity) and non-modifiable factors like genetics (familial hypercholesterolemia), increasing age, and certain medical conditions (hypothyroidism, kidney disease) or medications, all leading your liver to produce too much LDL ("bad") cholesterol or not enough HDL ("good") cholesterol, resulting in plaque buildup in arteries.
Inclisiran is a cholesterol-lowering treatment that reduces levels of a 'bad' cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, in the blood. High LDL cholesterol is a well-known risk factor for heart and circulatory disease.
Studies have shown that certain red yeast rice products that contain statin can significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, specifically LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. One showed that taking 2.4 grams per day reduced LDL levels by 22% and total cholesterol by 16% in 12 weeks.
Green tea is a powerful antidote to high cholesterol
While it's often linked to an increased metabolism, a study found that it reduced LDL levels in both healthy individuals and those at risk of developing cardiovascular problems and dramatically reduced total cholesterol levels among participants.
Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL. Most plant-derived oils, including canola, safflower, sunflower, olive, grapeseed, and peanut oils, contain both. Fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring, and mackerel), seeds, nuts, avocados and soybeans are also great sources.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.
Lifestyle modifications are often the first line of treatment for high cholesterol. These include following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Vitamins C, D, and B3 (niacin) may help lower cholesterol as well. And probiotics, berberine, and red yeast rice are other potentially effective supplements.