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News-ConsLab Cholesterol

by | Jan 1, 2015

Post Categories: Healthy Aging Practices | Nutrition and Lifestyle

Which Supplements Help Lower Cholesterol?

Certain dietary supplements can help reduce elevated cholesterol levels. A new report from ConsumerLab.com reviews the evidence behind each of the popular cholesterol-lowering ingredients and provides test results for 12 supplements.1 Among those proven to work are plant sterols, also known as phytosterols, which bind cholesterol in the gut. ConsumerLab.com tested several sterol supplements. One product appeared to be best – having clinical evidence to support it and being lowest in cost.

Another supplement ingredient touted to lower cholesterol is policosanol, although the evidence is mixed. Tests by ConsumerLab.com identified several policosanol supplements that delivered what they promised, and one was, by far, the best value.

Elevated cholesterol is a key risk factor for heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, 99 million Americans aged 20 and older have elevated blood cholesterol levels. Lifestyle changes such as improving diet, losing weight and increasing exercise are often effective at improving cholesterol levels. Various supplement ingredients may be helpful as well, lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”), raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good cholesterol”), and improving the LDL/HDL ratio. Some supplements may also reduce triglycerides.

Among the 12 products covered in the new “Review of Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements,” 10 were selected by ConsumerLab.com and 2 others are included for having passed the same evaluation through ConsumerLab.com’s voluntary Quality Certification Program. The supplements covered in the report are:

Andrew Lessman’s ProCaps Laboratories CholestaCare
Enzymatic Therapy Cholesterol Shield
Life Extension Policosanol
Nature Made CholestOff
Nature’s Life Policosanol
Pure Encapsulations CholestePure
Puritan’s Pride Policosanol
Shaklee Cholesterol Reduction Complex
Solgar Policosanol
Source Naturals Cholesterol Rescue
Swanson Ultra Policosanol
Vibrant Health Cholesterol Blocker – Version 2.1

The new report provides expert tips on buying and using these supplements and includes information about other ingredients that may improve cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels. Several of these have been the subject of separate test reports by ConsumerLab.com including fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, niacin, red yeast rice, and soy protein.2–6 Evidence is also reviewed for guggulsterone, pantethine, and Sytrinol.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to reviews of more than 1000 products from over 400 brands. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

Notes

  1. Review of cholesterol-lowering supplements (sterols and policosanol) [Web page]. ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Cholesterol-Lowering_Supplements_Review_Sterols_Policosanol/cholesterol.

  2. Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements review (including krill, algae, calamari, green-lipped mussel oil) [Web page]. ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/fish_oil_supplements_review/omega3.

  3. Garlic supplements [Web page]. ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Garlic_Supplements/Garlic.

  4. B vitamin supplements and energy drinks (including B complexes, niacin, B-6, B-12, biotin, thiamin, and folic acid) [Web page]. ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Review_B_Vitamins_B-Complexes_Energy-Shots_Thiamin_Niacin_B-6_B-12_Biotin_and_Folic_Acid/bvitamins.

  5. Red yeast rice supplements review [Web page]. ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Red-Yeast-Rice-Supplements-Review/Red_Yeast_Rice.

  6. Protein powders and drinks review — for body building, sports & dieting [Web page]. ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Protein_Powders_Shakes_Drinks_Sports_%20Meal_Diet/NutritionDrinks.

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