High cholesterol (also called hypercholesterolemia) can have dangerous effects on the body. High levels of cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in the arteries, which may block an artery completely and can lead to strokes and heart attacks. Many people of all ages want to lower cholesterol naturally.

That being said, a lot of people have high cholesterol and exhibit no obvious symptoms. Therefore, it is important to get routine checkups and undergo blood tests to determine whether your cholesterol levels are in the appropriate range.

Read on to learn more about the types of cholesterol, the average ideal levels, and how to manage your cholesterol levels.

“Good” Cholesterol and “Bad” Cholesterol

Many people have heard of “good” and “bad” cholesterol but may not know what the difference is. Cholesterol itself is a kind of lipid, meaning it is a fat-like substance. It is naturally produced by the liver and is necessary to form cell membranes, vitamin D, and some hormones. “Good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol are called HDL and LDL cholesterol, respectively.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is better known as “bad” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol brings cholesterol to arteries. When its levels are too high, plaque may build up on the artery walls, which can cause blood clots. These blood clots can block the artery completely and result in heart attacks or strokes, depending on the location of the artery itself.

On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) returns LDL cholesterol to the liver. This LDL cholesterol can then be removed from the body. This process can limit cholesterol plaque from building up in the arteries. Because of this preventative quality, HDL cholesterol is more commonly known as “good” cholesterol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in every three adults in the United States has high cholesterol. When people talk about the dangers of high cholesterol, they are generally referring to levels of LDL cholesterol that are outside the ideal range.

Ideal Cholesterol Ranges

Blood tests can determine whether your cholesterol levels fall into the ideal range. These ideal ranges can depend on an individual’s age. For example, the acceptable cholesterol levels for children and teenagers trend lower than those for adults. For adults, total cholesterol levels that are below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are healthy. In children and adolescents, however, this figure drops to 170 mg/dL and under to be considered healthy.

Moreover, in adults, between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high. Readings of more than 240 mg/dL are high. Broken down, LDL cholesterol levels in adults should be under 100 mg/dL and HDL cholesterol levels should be above 60 mg/dL. Although high LDL levels (above 130 mg/dL, typically) may result in health problems for adults, low HDL levels (under 40 mg/dL) may also increase a person’s risk of heart disease.

Treatment and Prevention

As is the case with many conditions, prevention is key. Physical activity and a heart-healthy diet can be useful for reducing risks of coronary heart disease. Another factor that has a huge impact on cholesterol levels is smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke. People who smoke cigarettes are at a greater risk for higher cholesterol levels and heart conditions, as well as a variety of health concerns.

Although adjusting your lifestyle and changing your habits can have a positive effect on your cholesterol levels, ultimately there are some factors outside of your control that can affect your likelihood of experiencing high blood cholesterol. In 2018, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology began imploring doctors to discuss family history, ethnicity, and other health conditions with their patients, as each of these can impact cholesterol levels. Approximately one in every 500 people is affected by a genetic disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia, which can hinder the body’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood. Other heart disease risk factors include age and inactivity, both of which can be unavoidable.

How do you manage your cholesterol levels, then? As stated above, you can adjust your diet, limiting processed foods and alcohol and increasing your intake of plant-based foods and lean sources of protein (e.g. chicken, fish, legumes, etc.). According to the Harvard Medical School, people looking to lower their cholesterol levels should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity daily. A good option may be taking a brisk walk during lunch or after school or work.

Some people also turn to supplements and vitamins to help lower cholesterol levels. Below are some of the best supplements available for lowering cholesterol naturally.

Vitamins and Supplements

Some things that impact blood cholesterol levels are inevitable. Your ethnicity, age, sex, and family history all can increase your risks. You can’t control your genetic background and, try as you might, you can’t stop time from moving forward. 

Village Vitamin Store offers a huge assortment of vitamins and supplements to naturally lower cholesterol and helps health in general. Continue reading for some recommendations.

Natural Factors Advanced Cholesterol (60 Tabs)

This supplement is especially useful for those looking to lower their LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL cholesterol levels. With only one tablet daily (or as directed by a doctor), many people see results within their first month of use. Natural Factors’ Advanced Cholesterol Formula uses nicotinic acid and Sytrinol, among other ingredients, to lower “bad” cholesterol levels, increase “good” cholesterol, and promote healthy blood pressure.

Preferred Nutrition Sytrinol (60 Veggie Caps)

Another great option for lowering cholesterol is Preferred Nutrition Sytrinol Veggie Caps. This supplement is vegan and made with natural ingredients. Like Natural Factors Advanced Cholesterol tablets, these veggie caps can work in only 30 days. Additionally, there are no toxic side effects of taking this supplement. Sytrinol is a patented supplement for lowering cholesterol and is made using phytochemical compounds that are found in palm fruit and citrus peel extracts. Unless otherwise directed by a healthcare professional, the dosage is only one veggie cap daily with a meal. This Syrinol supplement works as a strong antioxidant and promotes cardiovascular system health, as well. 

Organika Glucomannan Konjac Root (120 450Mg Caps)

Want a cost-effective natural supplement to lower cholesterol levels? Look no further! Organika Glucomannan Konjac Root tablets are available for purchase at only $12.99 for 120 450Mg caps per bottle. These tablets are gluten-free and use a powerful fiber to lower cholesterol levels. The rate of cholesterol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is lowered and, therefore, so are cholesterol levels in general. Additionally, Organika tablets can treat constipation and aid bowel regularity. They provide a healthy, natural way to help lower cholesterol levels for those whose levels only need a little assistance.

Innovite Red Yeast Rice (120 Caps)

These capsules contain red yeast rice extract, vitamins C and D3, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and more to reduce cholesterol levels. The recommended dosage is one capsule twice daily, or as directed by a health practitioner. For quite some time, practitioners of Traditional Modern Medicine have turned to red yeast rice (or RYR) as a natural source of statins. Statins inhibit an enzyme that creates cholesterol. Synthetic statins can lead to serious side effects, such as myositis and rhabdomyolysis. Innovite Red Yeast Rice capsules use lower doses of naturally-occurring ingredients than synthetic statins and, therefore, there is a lower risk of side effects.

Strauss Heartdrops Cinnamon (100mL)

Lowering your cholesterol levels can be a tough pill to swallow. Want a solution that doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth? Strauss Heartdrops are available to make taking your medicine a little more fun. Although these drops taste like cinnamon, they contain garlic, cayenne, hawthorn, and more. Those who are tired of taking daily tablets may want to try Strauss Heartdrops to aid circulation, reduce cholesterol levels, and promote overall cardiovascular health.

See a Doctor

There are resources available online that can help you calculate your cardiovascular risk but, ultimately, having a doctor perform a blood test can provide you with the answers you need. According to MedlinePlus, a blood test should first be completed between the ages of nine and 11 for children. Every five years, the blood test should be redone. Young adults should also get blood tests every five years once they reach the age of 20. Men who are between 45 and 65 years of age and women who are between the ages of 55 and 65 should get their blood tested every year or two. A lot of factors can affect blood cholesterol levels, so it is important to regularly get checkups and follow your doctor’s instructions for prevention and treatment.

Why Choose Supplements?

Whether you’re looking to prevent high cholesterol levels or manage them, supplements can be a useful method of lowering cholesterol naturally. Village Vitamin Store offers a slew of choices for cholesterol-management for people of all ages. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Share your favorite tricks below! Do you have a go-to supplement? Is there a food you swear by? Have you tried any of these tablets or drops? Let us know!