How to lower your cholesterol – supplements

Here are some of the best supplements to help lower your cholesterol naturally:

Rosehip or Hibiscus Tea.   Replace coffee with this superstar tea which can manage healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Best Ever Vitamin C tonic.  High in therapeutic doses of Rosehips, this tonic provides a high concentration of Vitamin C in the most bio-available form so that you reap all the benefits!

A 2008 article published in the “Journal of Chiropractic Medicine” showed that vitamin c supplementation can reduce LDL or “bad cholesterol” and can lower triglycerides (fats that can also raise your risk of heart disease).

Vitamin C can also help protect you from the oxidation of LDLs which, according to a 2003 article published in “Nutrition Journal” can help prevent excess cholesterol from building up in your bloodstream.

Not only is this tonic a cholesterol-buster it’s such a good all-rounder as it can also lower inflammation and improve joint mobility as well as improving your circulation (no more cold hands and feet), raises your immunity to help fight off coughs and colds and assists with anti-aging as its packed with antioxidants which prevent free-radical damage.

Free-radical damage can occur when we’re under stress so whether you’re moving house, doing exams, experiencing relationship issues, feeling financial strain, grieving the loss of a loved one or simply “feeling like you’re falling apart” this is the tonic for you!

 

Magnesium.  This miracle mineral acts as a natural “statin” by limiting your cholesterol production so that your liver produces what it needs and yet stops excess cortisol being released.  The best magnesium powder I’ve found is the Medlab brand because it supports your natural metabolic pathways for GABA (a neurotransmitter involved in regulating communication between your brain cells) production helping to relax your mind and body during stressful times.  I’ve found when life gets challenging, it’s useful to take one scoop in a glass of water just before bed (along with my Sleep Tonic of course).  If you want to improve your sleep, see Sleep Issues.

 

Fish Oils.   There’s conflicting advise about fish oils.  I think fish oils are a wonderful supplement if you’re not getting enough “good fats” in your diet.

By eating “good fats” like oily fish a couple of times a week or having natural vegetable oils such as a good quality, first cold pressed, olive oil or flaxseed oil you should be getting enough healthy fats.

Fish oils can improve liver function which can increase levels of HDL “good cholesterol” although it’s not proven to reduce the levels of LDL “bad cholesterol” but it can lower trigylcerides by about 15-30% and does reduce blood pressure.

Fish oils have been proven to support brain health and cardio-vascular health and there’s scientific research to that fish oil supplementation can improve many of the risk factors for heart disease but there is no clear evidence that it can prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Eating fish seems to help age-related macular degeneration and has inflammatory properties that can help reduce symptoms of inflammatory diseases in the body, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

The main omega-3s in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA) so look out for these names on your fish oil and choose a supplement that provides at least 300mg of EPA and DHA per dose.

My preference is Metagenics MetaPure EPA/DHA as it’s purified, concentrated, sustainable fish oil sourced from small, cold water fish using eco-fishing practices.  It’s also tested to ensure it is well below the Australian allowable levels of pesticides and heavy metals.

 

Flaxseed Oils.   The vegetable alternative to fish oil and is the richest source of plant-based omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).  Dr Axe perfectly describes the action of flaxseed on the body

“a study published in the journal “Nutrition and Metabolism” found that adding flaxseeds to your diet can naturally reduce cholesterol levels by increasing the amount of flax excreted through bowel movements.  The soluble fibre content of flaxseed traps fat and cholesterol in the digestive system so it’s unable to be absorbed.  Soluble flax fibre also traps bile, which is made from cholesterol in the gallbladder.  The bile is then excreted through the digestive system forcing the body to made more, using up the excess cholesterol in the blood and therefore lowering cholesterol”.  Wowsers!

 

Cholesstanol 60 Tablets.  These once a day tablets from Metagenics can help maintain normal blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in healthy people.  There’s clinical research to show that Cholesstanol may improve the LDL:HDL ratio and assist the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. 

 

If you’d like some advice on what supplements are right for you, please contact tracie@thewellnesscompany.com.au as I’d love to help.