Nearly 40% of all Americans have high cholesterol, yet many people have no idea. That’s because high cholesterol has no symptoms, some might even call it a “silent killer.” The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are elevated is to get a blood test and see your doctor.
Doctors are working diligently with their patients to address this potentially deadly epidemic. Many doctors are recommending supplements before prescribing heavy medications like statins, because they can have some serious side effects.
That’s why today millions of people are looking for a powerful supplement to help lower their cholesterol levels. So it’s no wonder the market is flooded with supplements promising to lower bad cholesterol and improve heart health.
With so many options available it can feel overwhelming trying to find an effective supplement. But don't worry, we here at Smarter Reviews spent months researching this category and we'll show you what to look for and what to avoid in quality cholesterol supplement.
What Is Cholesterol And Why Is It Important?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance in your blood that your body needs in order to build healthy cells. However, when you have high levels of bad cholesterol, the waxy substance can build up in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.
With high cholesterol, you develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow through to your arteries. When there’s excess buildup, those waxy deposits can form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke.
High cholesterol could be inherited, but it’s typically a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in fat and refined carbs.
Good Vs. Bad Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol: good cholesterol or HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and bad cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein).
HDL is the good kind of cholesterol because it moves from your arteries to your liver, which then expels it from your body. While LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol because it goes to your arteries, where it may collect in the artery walls and create a clog.
Why Doctors Are Recommending Supplements First
Prescription statins are by far the most popular cholesterol lowering drugs. Statins work by inhibiting a liver enzyme necessary for cholesterol production. Statins may also help prevent further blockage in your arteries by aiding in cholesterol re-absorption.
Prescription statins work well, but they are often expensive and may have unpleasant side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, muscle stiffness, liver damage, and frequent headaches are just some of their known side effects.
Because of these serious side effects, more and more doctors today are recommending a quality cholesterol-lowering supplement in addition to diet and exercise before trying a prescription statin.
The Best Ingredients To Naturally Lower Cholesterol
Clinical studies show a number of natural products lower bad cholesterol and elevated good cholesterol significantly. Some prescription statins are synthesized from natural products. For instance, monacolin K, a cholesterol lowering substance found in red yeast rice is also the main ingredient in some prescription statins.
However, not all supplements are created equally. Many brands will cut corners, filling their supplements with harmful additives and use ineffective ingredients or weak dosages. That's why Smarter Reviews has compiled months of research about this emerging category.
It should also be noted, however, that supplements are not a quick fix — it takes about 3 months of consistently taking a quality, doctor-formulated supplement to feel real results.
Top Ingredients To Lower Cholesterol
Bergamot
A number of clinical trials showed impressive cholesterol lowering properties of the Italian citrus fruit bergamot. Blood tests in one major study from the International Journal of Cardiology, revealed that even in low dosages, participants' LDL levels lowered significantly after only one month. Bergamot, has few if any side effects and works like statins by inhibiting cholesterol-producing-enzymes.
However, bergamot extracts are frequently adulterated or “cut” with other lower cost ingredients such as bitter orange. That’s why we recommend looking for at least 550 mg of a clinically studied bergamont, such as Bergavit®, in order to ensure potency and effectiveness.
Red Yeast Rice
The cholesterol lowering ingredient in red yeast rice, monacolin K, is the same ingredient found in certain prescription statins. Even monacolin K doses as low as 10mg/day can restore cholesterol to healthy levels. Because if its effectiveness, drug companies seeking to avoid competition have lobbied for regulation of monacolin K in food products.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as niacin, is a powerful vitamin B3 that inhibits the enzymes that break down HDLs and prevents cells from releasing too much LDLs.
Garlic Extract
Allicin is an ingredient found in garlic that relaxes the blood vessels and helps your body fight high cholesterol.
What Ingredients To Avoid
Magnesium Stearate
This cheap filler is used to help bind ingredients together and lubricate the supplement so it doesn’t gum up when it is run through the manufacturing machines. Magnesium stearate adds no nutritional value and can become toxic to your system.
Your Definitive Cholesterol Supplement Checklist
Now that you know what ingredients to look for and what to avoid, it’s also important to keep these additional tips in mind when shopping for a cholesterol supplement.
Clinically Studied Ingredients
It's the golden rule. Look for clinically studied ingredients that have been proven to deliver results. Though many cholesterol supplements contain bergamot, not all have been clinically studied for effectiveness and potency.
The Right Dosages
Some brands will use quality ingredients, but skimp on dosages in order to save money. So even if you’re getting the right ingredients, if they’re not in their recommended dosages, you won’t experience the full benefits. We recommend looking for a supplement that lists at least 550 mg per serving of bergamot and 1,000 mg of red yeast rice.
Doctor-Formulated
It takes specific expertise to create an effective cholesterol formulation. More is not necessarily better. The exact combination of clinically studied ingredients and dosages determines the product's quality. Look for real doctors specializing in cardiovascular health backing the product.
Money-back Guarantee
It’s always a good idea to invest in a cholesterol supplement that offers a 100% money-back guarantee that shows the company's faith in its product. Look for brands that offer at least a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Beware Of Amazon Reviews
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Millions of Americans look to Amazon reviews before purchasing their products, but most don’t realize that up to 60% are written by individuals paid to leave positive feedback. Risking your health with reviews that could be fraudulent is too dangerous a game to play.
Top 5 Cholesterol Supplements Of 2020
We've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category on the market today.
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