Penn Herb Wellness Guide
High Cholesterol
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Artichoke | 500–1,000 mg daily |  [3 stars] Artichoke leaf extract has been found to lower total and LDL-cholesterol levels and may increase HDL-cholesterol levels. |
Berberine | 500 mg two to three times per day | [3 stars] Berberine, a compound found in herbs such as goldenseal, barberry, goldthread, and Oregon grape, has been found to lower total and LDL-cholesterol levels and raise HDL-cholesterol levels. |
Beta-Glucan | 3 grams or more daily | [3 stars] Beta-glucans are a type of soluble fiber that has been shown in multiple clinical trials to lower elevated total and LDL-cholesterol levels. |
Beta-Sitosterol | 2 to 3 grams daily | [3 stars] More than 50 years of research has shown consumption of sitostanol and beta-sitosterol, plant compounds known as phytosterols, lowers cholesterol levels. |
Chitosan | 1 to 3 grams daily | [3 stars] Chitosan is a fiber-like polysaccharide that has been shown to improve cholesterol levels in a number of clinical trials. |
Fenugreek | 10 to 30 grams two to three times per day | [3 stars] Fenugreek seed powder has been found to substantially lower blood levels of total and LDL-cholesterol. |
Garlic | 300 to 900 mg a day of garlic powder | [3 stars] Taking garlic can improve cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease. |
Glucomannan | 3 grams daily | [3 stars] Glucomannan is a viscous, soluble dietary fiber that has been shown to improve metabolism and reduce LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol levels. |
Green Tea | green tea extract providing 107856 mg of EGCG daily in smaller divided doses and with food | [3 stars] Green tea has been shown to lower total and LDL-cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health. Though uncommon, liver injury can occur with long-term use of green tea extract or EGCG. |
Pantothenic Acid | 300 mg pantethine taken two to four times per day | [3 stars] Pantethine, a byproduct of vitamin B5 metabolism, may help reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the body. |
Psyllium | 2 to 20 grams (about 4 teaspoons) per day with meals | [3 stars] Psyllium husk has been shown to be effective at lowering total and LDL-cholesterol levels. |
Red Yeast Rice | 600 to 1,200 mg with 2.5 to 5 mg of monacolin K twice daily | [3 stars] Red yeast rice contains a compound that is well known to inhibit production of cholesterol in the liver. |
Sitostanol | 2 to 3 grams daily | [3 stars] More than 50 years of research has shown consumption of sitostanol and beta-sitosterol, plant compounds known as phytosterols, lowers cholesterol levels. |
Soy | 25 grams soy protein per day | [3 stars] Soy supplementation has been shown to lower cholesterol. Soy contains isoflavones, which are believed to be soy’s main cholesterol-lowering ingredients. |
Berberine (Type 2 Diabetes) | 500 mg two to three times daily |  [2 stars] Berberine may improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity and decrease risks of cardiovascular and other complications in people with type 2 diabetes. |
Calcium | 500 to 1,000 mg daily | [2 stars] Some trials have shown that supplementing with calcium reduces cholesterol levels, and co-supplementing with vitamin D may add to this effect. |
Charcoal | 4 to 32 grams per day | [2 stars] Activated charcoal can bind to cholesterol and cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestine, preventing their absorption. |
Chondroitin Sulfate | 500 mg three times daily | [2 stars] Chondroitin sulfate appears to sequester cholesterol, lowering circulating cholesterol levels and reducing atherosclerosis. |
Chromium | up to 200 mcg daily | [2 stars] Some controlled trials have found chromium supplementation can reduce total cholesterol and increase HDL-cholesterol levels, especially in people with type 2 diabetes, but the effects are small. |
Cranberry | 500 mg three times per day after meals | [2 stars] Some, but not all, clinical trials show cranberry extract may improve cholesterol profiles. |
Creatine | 20 grams per day as a loading dose and 10 grams per day as an ongoing dose | [2 stars] Clinical trials examining the effect of creatine on cholesterol metabolism have yielded mixed results. |
Guggul | 500 to 2,000 mg three times per day | [2 stars] Findings regarding the ability of guggul extracts to lower cholesterol levels are mixed. |
HMB | 3 grams daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with HMB, or beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, has been reported to lower total and LDL-cholesterol levels. |
Krill Oil | 0.5 to 4 grams krill oil daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with krill oil is likely to help lower high triglyceride levels, but findings regarding its ability to improve cholesterol levels are mixed. |
L-Carnitine | 2 to 3 grams per day | [2 stars] L-carnitine has been found in some, but not all, clinical trials to reduce high cholesterol levels. |