Natural Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Research shows that Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have been strongly associated with cardiovascular protection by reducing triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoproteins in the body. Much epidemiological evidence links increasing HDL-cholesterol concentrations to cardiovascular protection. (1)

Recently published data claims that ω-3 PUFAs reduced triglyceride without significantly elevating LDL cholesterol in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and mixed dyslipidemialeading to lower rate of hospitalization in heart failure patients.(2)

In an animal study on mice showed that treatment with PUFA-rich mustard oil reduced plasma cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols whereas the HDL levels were increased.(3)

Fish Oil

Fish oil contains Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In one animal study which studied the effect of fish oil on rats with metabolic syndrome (having abnormal plasma lipid profiles), the results showed that fish oil caused a reduction in triglyceride by 56 %.( 4)

In a human study supplementation with PUFAs in 38 middle-aged men showed significant increase in High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol to HDL-C ratios decreased significantly. This study concluded that 2 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil supplementation improved lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic patients who do not eat fish on a regular basis. (5)

In another similar human study that was conducted on 200 hypercholesterolemic patients, supplementation of 2 grams of fish oil everyday reduced triglyceride level by 15 % and increased HDL-cholesterol by 5.4 %.( 6) 

Resveratrol

Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic stilbenoid, which is known to possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Although the effect of RSV on hypercholesterolemia is not fully understood, research has shown a significant correlation between RSV supplementation and improvement in the lipid profile.

In an study that was conducted on mice showed that supplementation of RSV 200 mg/kg per day significantly improved serum lipid profile, and reduced cholesterol accumulation in the liver.(7)

In another similar study that was done on hypercholesterolemic rabbits, the results showed that when longevinex resveratrol (commercially available resveratrol) was given to the rabbit for a period of 6 months there was significant lowering of plasma cholesterol level.(8) Another study concluded that resveratrol  found in red wine significantly reduced the total cholesterol level in the hypercholesterolemic rats.(9) 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the most important fat-soluble antioxidant which stops the production of reactive oxygen species from fat. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between high intake and high serum concentrations of antioxidant vitamin E and lower rates heart attacks.

In an animal study that was done on cholesterol-fed rabbits, treatment with Vitamin E exhibited a decrease in serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations.(10) In another similar study that was done on mice, showed that when various amounts of Vitamin E (0.02%, 0%, or 0.2%) was given for 15 weeks, the plasma total cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered confirming that Vitamin E is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia.(11) 

In a human study in patients with metabolic syndrome (who have abnormal plasma lipid profiles) Vitamin E supplementation of 100 IU /day, 200 IU /day, 300 IU /day for 4 months significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol.(12) 

Garlic

Garlic has been used as medicine in many cultures for thousands of years. Dietary garlic contains allicin which has been proven to be effective hypercholesterolemics in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia. Garlic reduces blood and liver cholesterol by enhancing cholesterol conversion to bile acids.

In an animal study that was done on mice, showed that allicin from garlic showed a significant reduction in blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and cholesterol storage in the liver. (13) Another similar study demonstrated that high temperature/high pressure-processed garlic which contains higher amount of S-allyl cysteine than raw garlic, reduced plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride. (14)

In a laboratory study that was done to examine the effects of garlic on obesity and blood lipid profiles in high-fat induced obesity mice, showed that administration of garlic significantly reduced obesity, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Consequently, accumulation of fat in the liver was ameliorated by garlic supplementation. (15) 

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seeds extract has a great concentration of vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid which acts as potent antioxidant.

One animal study showed that proanthocyanidins present in the grape seed extract can protect against dyslipidemia. Results showed that administration of proanthocyanidins improved plasma triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol, and decreased hypercholesterolemia and accumulation of fat in the liver mainly by reducing lipid synthesis and VLDL accumulation in the liver. (16)

In a human study, ten hypercholesterolemic patients treated with grape seed extract 100 mg twice a day showed a 2.5% reduction in the total cholesterol and 1% reduction in the LDL cholesterol. (17)

Curcumin

Curcumin is a potent antioxidant present in turmeric. A study in hypercholesterolemic rats showed that dietary curcumin (0.2%) significantly reduced liver cholesterol and triglycerides. (18)

Another similar study showed that rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet, after treatment with curcumin showed decreased serum total cholesterol by about 21% and LDL-C by 42.5%, and increased serum HDL by 50% respectively. This study concluded that hypocholesterolemic effect of curcumin could be due to an effect on cholesterol absorption, or elimination. (19)

In a laboratory study showed that, when rats were maintained on 0.5% curcumin containing diet for 8 weeks. Blood cholesterol was lowered significantly; cholesterol decrease was mainly from the LDL-VLDL cholesterol. Significant decrease in blood triglyceride and phospholipids was also noticed. Apart from that, accumulation of cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid in the liver and kidney was significantly reduced.(20)        

    

Pomegranate

Pomegranate has been extensively used as a source of traditional remedies for thousands of years, research claims that ellagitanninsin pomegranate juice has many medicinal benefits.(21) Peel of the pomegranate fruit is rich in polyphenols that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In an animal study that was done on mice fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks,showed a significant reduction in the serum level of cholesterol (total and LDL).(22)

In a human study that was done on 44 hypercholesterolemic male patients concluded that a dietary supplement of extracts and concentrates of pomegranate resulted in significant reduction of total plasma cholesterol from 280 to 250 mg/dL, and the average plasma LDL was reduced from 195 to 169 mg/with an increase in HDL 0,6%.(23) 

Black Cumin

Nigella sativa or Black seed has been traditionally used for several medical ailments in many Middle Eastern countries. In an animal study done on rabbits, feeding rabbits with Nigella sativa has shown to significantly reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels and also enhanced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. (24)

In another similar animal study, hypercholesterolemic rats fed with extracts from Nigella sativa significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This study also concluded that Nigella sativa effectively improved the plasma and liver antioxidant capacity. (25)

In one study that was one in humans, 88 patients with a total cholesterol concentration >200 mg/dl were treated with 2 grams Nigella sativa per day for 4 weeks. Results showed that there was a significant reduction in the in the concentration of total cholesterol by 4.78%, low density lipoprotein by 7.6% and triglyceride 16.65% respectively. (26)

Lycopene

Lycopene is the bright red phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits, which is believed to possess antioxidant potential. In one animal study that was conducted on the rats showed that rats fed with Lycopene resulted in significant reduction in the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (27)

In a human study that was conducted on 39 women with hypercholesterolemia showed that treatment with 30 mg lycopene per day for 24 weeks significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL by 12% and 16% respectively. (28)