Statins

 

Are there natural alternatives to statins that can help lower cholesterol?

Yes. Prescription medications aren’t the only way to tackle high cholesterol. Some natural and over-the-counter (OTC) products can play an important role, too. For instance, adding more soluble fiber to your diet is one easy way to lower cholesterol. Other options are also available.

Common foods that help lower cholesterol include:

• Plant sterols (found in nuts, grains, and more)

• Soy products

• Fatty fish, such as salmon

• Avocados

• Fruits, especially berries and bergamot

• Vegetables

• Legumes

Dietary supplements that may help lower cholesterol include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil

• Red yeast rice

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin D

• Niacin

• Psyllium

• Berberine

• Probiotics

Non-prescription products like these can come with their own risks, too. Before you make any purchases, ask the medical professional who manages your cholesterol about what’s safe to try.

The bottom line

If you’re living with high cholesterol, there are many options to help you manage your health. Statins are usually the first type of medication that’s recommended. But if a statin alone isn’t an option or if you can’t take one, other medications and supplements are also available. Ezetimibe, fibrates like gemfibrozil, and ATP citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors like bempedoic acid are top examples. Natural and over-the-counter (OTC) products are available too.