The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Michael (Indianpolis, IN) on 02/14/2007
★★★★★
A few years ago I paid $10 for a quick cholesterol screening at a local grocery store. I didn't know what my level was, I don't think it was high in the first place, but the results were amazing. I had been taking a tablespoon of BSM for a couple of months. I am not an athletic person by any stretch of the imagination, and I don't exercise with any honorable amount of regularity. And when I returned an hour later for the results, the guy shook his head in amazement because he said my cholesterol revealed what would be normal for someone who was involved in heavy athletic activity! (My unimpressive physique said otherwise, as he knew.) I had not been taking any other supplementation, so it is my unwaivering belief that the BSM had such an impact on my blood system that it revolutionized it! I got away from it for a while, but desire to see an improvement in my complexion, AND see if I can vacate my noggin' of ensuing gray hairs!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Putter (Lima, Ohio) on 12/21/2011
Tried the ACV and it triggered a gout attack. It's too acid for me. I had to chug black cherry juice and take capsules to pull out of it. I would not reccomend ACV for gout sufferers. Looks like it won't work for me. Dang!!
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Charles (Titusville, FL) on 03/25/2006
★☆☆☆☆
I have been on four different cholesterol meds and all have affected my legs. I even tried the Red yeast Rice and had the same results. Am now trying one more new prescription. Red yeast rice was not effective Wife having problems now and is try a med plus is going to try the vinegar and water.
Flax Seeds
Posted by ND (Mumbai, India) on 05/16/2009
can the flax seed be chewed instead of grinding it into a powder?
Omega 3
Posted by Shakir (Omaha, NE) on 05/20/2005
★★★★★
I take regularly a teaspoon of omeg3 fatty acid in oil form , the version with the highest amount of lignin, plus 81 mg aspirin. Though my total cholesterol is still v high , but my trigricrides, has dramatically declined from above 200 to only 107, at the same time my HDL has increased from 32 three yrs ago to 51 in most current check up.
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Brenda (Altoona, PA)
★★★★★
I take red yeast rice, which you can purchase at any vitamin store. It lowered my cholesterol 40 points.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by La Vern De Wilde (Fort Collins, Colorado) on 06/15/2009
Thank you greatly for reporting the wonderful preliminary results of high cholesterol in the 300's and down to 180, what an encouraging reversal!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lawrence (Lincoln NE)
★★★★★
I have found that drinking small amounts of vinegar and putting it on food such as pizza or greens has lowered my high cholesterol without the use of drugs. I was on Vytorin and have discontinued use and my last blood work showed normal cholesterol ranges.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lina (Sarita, TX)
★★★★★
just wanted to let you all know that the apple cider does work...well it works for me..i started in oct.2005 and went to the doctor one month later and my cholesterol went down 23 points...and that is by taking 1 teaspoon of acv in a cup of water..and by eating oatmeal..for one month.. thank you so much
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tarkan (Istanbul, Turkey) on 01/18/2012
I happened to see the thread about apple cider vinegar 4 weeks ago and decided to give it a try. (Ä ± had been suffering from high cholesterol 324, LDL 242) The vinegar itself was repulsive but found out about GNC apple cider vinegar and have been taking twice a day two capcules before brkfst and dinner for 4 weeks. I also accompany it with vigorous exercise 5 days a week on a strict cholesterol diet. Today, I had my lipids checked and had a big surprise: total chols. 215, ldl 163! ...
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Erdem (Antalya, Turkey) on 03/10/2013
Hello Tarkan, is your cholestrole problem inherite from your parents? In other words your any parent and his/her older relatives have high cholestrole? I have high cholestrole problem which is inherited from my mother.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
A couple of days ago I did research on pectin. (I have about 1 pound of pectin at home). If pectin is added to the diet (3%) there is something like a 90% reduction in cholesterol and plaque in the aorta after eating on a diet of pectin added foods for about 9 months in tests of microswine (miniature pigs). Pigs are very close to humans.
The reason why apple ciders works so well in reduction of blood pressure and fats is due to the pectin content in the apple cider. Of course, if you add them to your food (pectin), the plaque and cholesterol will be reduced. Most natural supplements in the market that sell pectin is not therapeutically effective because the amount they are adding is far too small (10-200 mg), while pectin is considered a soluble fiber food, we need 3% when combined with other foods. Best way is to add them in soups and fruit juice.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carrie (Eau Claire, Wi) on 08/16/2009
Ted...I read that if you get rid of the Candida overgrowth it will help with the cholesterol..because of the mycotoxins..and the excess cholesterol is there to protect you from the mycotoxins to not damage the organs...I believe that overgrowth of yeast is the reason behind disease..but it all begins with improper digestion due to certain foods such as dairy, wheat, soy and corn. Also, with acidic foods that keep the PH not where it's suppose to be at letting candida take over...and also, because of the chlorine in our drinking water that kills off our beneficial bacteria that can't then keep candida at bay..I had serious issues with candida...and found that ph balancing helped that drastically and to watch out for sugar..my diet is plain and simple and it is working for me..I have cured my allergies, ovarian cysts, hemorhoids (sp?)...and am now realizing that by taking depakote for 30 years was preventing vit D absorbancy I feel leading up to my gum disease now..I feel that I have been unhealty since a child and I am in my 40's now...why didn't the doctors tell me I needed to supplement with vit D..it upsets me...also had chronic fatigue recently and am recovering...and it was not fun..the doctors could not help me..I am recovering because I found out that vit D and calcium are imp, and ph balance, and to rid of sugar of the diet which I had such a craving for for so long due to a terrible yeast overgrowth in body..I feel that the fatigue was because of the yeast...and once I cleared this..things started to turn around..I now make better choices for myself, and it feels good to know that you can heal yourself just by changing your diet to alkaline keep it simple...rid of sugar..drink good water,,,rid of chemicals...I realize that it starts with proper digestion and if I had this as a child I wouldn't have had seizure issues and allergies, constipation and eczema...I can't believe that I finally understand what is going on here...well, all that I have done for myself is working for me...and I no longer am on any meds....just trying to save my teeth now..will see what happens as I continue to oil pull and use your advice on what to do for gum disease. Ted do you have any comments on the things I feel have been working for me?..
Dietary Changes
Posted by Daniel (IL) on 12/11/2023
I appreciate your contributions to Earth Clinic. After seeing your recent one regarding your husband's cholesterol of 131 total, if that is correct I would suggest that is dangerously low.I have an old newsletter from Dr. Mercola that referenced a study presented at the 24th American Heart Association Conference on Stroke. They found that cholesterol over 230 increased risk of stroke as did cholesterol below 180. It can lead to leaky vessels. When I had cancer 23 years ago I think mine was around 150. My doctor told me that was low. I was in the low 160's the last few years but now up to 205 which I am comfortable with. I also read a paper by Dr Cheraskin in Orthomolecular News that as more detailed about low cholesterol. Unfortunately, I was not able to locate paper again. If he is able giving blood should lower the iron level.
Berberine
Posted by Denise E (Crescent City, CA) on 06/14/2023
Can anyone give me feedback on Berberine for high-cholesterol? I've been searching for a good brand, but more so, I would like to know if anyone has used this supplement and actually had their cholesterol lowered without using a Statin?
If Art Solbrig is around I would love to ask him about it. I will post one link to a very short video from one of my fave online doctors, Dr. Benjamin Bikman. He is big on Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance, and I have beaten T2 Diabetes just using Ketogenic nutrition. But with Keto, I get a high number on my Lipid tests and worry my doctor til I think he'll have a heart-attack because I won't take a statin. Berberine sounds good to me, but feedback is very welcome, and a brand name would be very helpful,
Thank you in advance, Denise
Berberine
Posted by K (Calif) on 10/20/2024
★☆☆☆☆
I tried Berberine and the only thing that dropped was my HDL, which is unacceptable to me. I couldn't find anything about this effect on the web so I don't know why that happened.
High Cholesterol Readings
Posted by PEG (MN) on 01/02/2023
What the heck - according to that website I am at 3%. My doctor says I am at 7%. She used a calculator on her phone (I think) and wants me on a statin drug which I declined to take......
Who to believe and why is that website more reliable?
Oatmeal
Posted by Teresa (Ohio) on 07/23/2021
I totally agree with the Red Yeast Rice and Coq10 for lowering cholesterol.
Oatmeal
Posted by luma (hawaii) on 08/31/2021
Imagine what it could be without the added saturated fat in the butter! Being biological herbavores humans make plenty of cholesterol in our own livers, unlike omnivores. just like humans and other herbivores can't make our own vitamins c but omnivore animals can. Cholesterol comes from animal products and causes heart disease in herbivores. omnivores animals can eat a pure meat diet and will have no heart disease.
Apple Pectin
Posted by Ria (Las Vegas) on 01/22/2020
★★★★★
Try apple pectin. One to three times daily 1/2 hour before food on empty stomach with lots of water. I did this years ago and it brought it down very well. Doing this on an ongoing basis is a lot better than statins.
Brazil Nuts
Posted by Mike (Cape Cod) on 09/27/2019
Do you have a pre- and post- nut breakdown of HDL and LDL?
Brazil Nuts
Posted by mark (berlin) on 11/13/2021
Hi, Did you change your diet as well and or introduced exercise in addition to the brazil nuts? Thank you
Brazil Nuts
Posted by Edna (Memphis ) on 03/27/2022
Hi, How long did it take to get those results?
Fenugreek
Posted by Eve (New York) on 06/26/2018
Can you tell me how you took the fenugreek to lower your cholesterol?
Fenugreek
Posted by Jean (Fl) on 07/21/2018
Hello Deborah, I would like to know some more details about your suggestion to use fenugreek for cholesterol. What form? ie leaves, oil, etc . How much per day did you take? Any other tips? Thanks!
Fenugreek
Posted by Denise (Minnesota ) on 10/14/2018
How much fenugreek do you take a day?
Fenugreek
Posted by Al (San Diego, Ca.) on 12/19/2018
How do you prepare it. You grind it or get it unground? Thx for your help..
Fenugreek
Posted by Deborah (Winston-Salem) on 12/19/2018
I pay 10.00 for a bottle of 360 capsules from vitacost.com. I have been taking one a day since 1995.
Fenugreek
Posted by Susie (Queensland) on 04/10/2022
In what form do you take the Fenugreek, how much and how often etc please to lower your cholesterol.
Fenugreek
Posted by Sandy (Il) on 03/21/2025
How do you take fenugreek. Please explain
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jan (Mi) on 12/20/2017
Katat,
I feel your pain. My husband has been on every statin drug and has had side effects from every one. Now the Dr. has him on a "new" medication which my husband has to inject every two weeks to lower his cholesterol. My husband had a heart attack and had a triple by pass last January and the Dr. insists on getting his cholesterol down. We don't want to take the drugs but my husband wants to keep his arteries clean. I know that cholesterol is not the problem and totally disagree with the Dr.s about it but how do we keep the arteries clean? We eat healthy but the high cholesterol runs in my husbands family and his mother died from a heart attack.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Elizabeth (CA) on 03/23/2024
Can you let me know what foods to eat that will not cause the body damage. I have high cholesterol and several Gall Stones and would like to treat and cure naturally rather than get surgery and take big pharma meds.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by JulieS (Tennessee) on 09/19/2024
What oil do you recommend for normal every day use?
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Denise (Ga) on 04/14/2017
Red yeast rice stained the bottoms of my feet within 3 days of taking to reduce cholesterol. Luckily I stopped and the stains went away within a week and a half. No thanks.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by El (Washington, DC) on 11/29/2023
Hi! You can't possibly mean that you fill up the big coffee cup with lemon juice after adding ACV and honey. You meant that you fill it with water and add lemon juice, right?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sabrina (Pennsylvania) on 12/22/2023
A touch of honey with Apple Cider Vinegar and water improves the taste ALOT. Or a bit of stevia.
Niacin
Posted by Ampy (Destin, FL) on 06/14/2021
I would love to know what is the Niacin brand that you take please and also do you just take one tablet at night time with food?
Niacinamide
Posted by Jeff (Dallas, Ga) on 03/23/2018
How many mg's should I start with? I am trying to lower ldl and the sleepy side effects would be awesome for me since I have trouble sleeping.
Earl Grey Tea
Posted by Js (Anony) on 01/16/2015
I just read that the bergamot oil in Earl Grey tea can help with cholesterol. Does anyone have experience with that? I'll drink it if that would work.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Timh (KY) on 12/17/2014 2042 posts
G: I always take a flush-free form (Niacinamide or Inositolhexaniacinate) of Niacin along w/ the regular Niacin to minimize flushing and maximize effect.
Pantethine and Red Yeast Rice also lowers LDL.
Most important for high LDL is Omega 3 Fatty Acids like Fish, Krill, Chia, and Flax Oils. Selenium and Vit-E work together w/ the Omega 3's to protect the cardiovascular system.
General Feedback
Posted by Shaggdew (Mansfield, Mo.) on 12/12/2014
Hello all: ok this is the first time posting, so please bear with me a few years ago. I had to go in and get a check up first time in years. Dr told me I had high cholesterol. I believe was like 140, ok he put me on atorvastatin 40 mg* didn't think much about it. Really didn't pay much attention to any effects, didn't take every day, which with trying to get kids up an going and trying to get out the door my self. Just forgot, really, but so on went back year later another check up. Went up to like 152 or something like that which didn't bother me; it did to the doc though. But at the same time had mentioned I had this itchy feeling on my ears that was driving me nuts.
Also mentioned had a hard time sleeping and some other things which with some older injuries wasn't concerned which make it hard to sleep at times. As time progressed, really then started noticing other things also. So not too long ago did some miner research on the medication I'm on so tried a test. Went off medication for a month or so, itching subsided and some others thing.
We're getting less of a problem some what so went back on it again and sure enough it all started back. Ok had a new visit with doc. or should say new dr in the office and yep went up to 170 and she mentioned that it had gone down to 132 the year before. Mentioned what I noticed and had done asked, about a more natural remedy, gave me a couple suggestions but still made out a new prescription for crestor 10mg* so I'm checking into a natural way of lowering.
Stopped by heath food store in the next town over, talked to them got some ideas to try and found on this site about ACV. I'm going to try ACV tomorrow but with the grape juice idea I thought i'd post this to tell anyone what I've done. I have to go back to drs. in March and will come back here to post what effects comes of it. I'm not going to change any eating habits so it will be normal living situation so let's see what happens. Thanks all for info and good luck. Have a good day.
General Feedback
Posted by Sam (Miami, FL) on 12/13/2014
If your total cholesterol(tc) is below 300 and all ratios are normal why do you take medication? Total cholesterol is useless number by itself. here is online calculator
www.hughcalc.org/chol.php
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Bajanine (Grand Junction, Colorado) on 12/12/2014
I'd like to share that in my research I found this:
Link. I have other links that say pretty much the same thing but I am upgrading my server so I can't look it up right now.
Taking L-lysine, l-proline, Ca, Mg, Na, and K ascorbates dropped my Mother's cholesterol 30 points, and she never did build up to the levels proposed in that article. Her Doctor was impressed! Too many ascorbates at once can cause diarrhea, She is supposed to take 3 doses a day but rarely gets more than one dose/day, and still it lowered her cholesterol more than 10%.
Niacin
Posted by Gertg (Tenn, US) on 08/26/2014
My cholesterol was inching upward, so I decided to try niacin to bring it down. I got the flush kind because everything I read said that 'no flush, no action on cholesterol'. The first dose (500 mg) I had a reaction--flushing, itching, red all over. Took about 2 hours and I was okay. The next day, I took another dose and had the same reaction only it was gone in 1/2hr or so. Then I missed several days. This morning, I took a dose at 6 a.m. Soon I had the flushing, itching, redness. Got in the shower figuring it would cool me and sooth the itch. Didn't. In fact, I started seeing spots so quickly got out and sat down. It got so bad that I moved from sitting on the toilet to sitting on the floor so I wouldn't fall. I must have passed out, because I don't recall laying all the way down. I then crawled to my bed and laid there for almost 45 minutes. Finished getting ready for work and stretched out on the couch until time to leave. I'm fine now, just some residual itch. Should I not take it anymore? Reduce the dose? Besides being uncomfortable, that was kind of scary. I am thankful that I wanted to try it when I had plenty of time and that DH was there in case I needed more help. Comments? Thanks.
Niacin
Posted by Mmsg (Europe) on 08/26/2014
Gertg, 500mg. is a ton to start out with for some people. I took way less than ONE hundred and got bad reactions.
Niacin
Posted by Gertg (Tennessee, USA) on 08/27/2014
I didn't mind the flush, even tho it was uncomfortable. What got me was the lowered blood pressure that caused me to black out. I'd like to take the niacin for the cholesterol, but I can't be passing out every day. I felt weak all day after that yesterday. I can get some lower dose niacin and start on that, but wow, I wasn't expecting to faint.
Niacin
Posted by Bama (Bama) on 02/14/2016
I've started niacin + vit C. Per Dr Saul, you do equal parts of each but my niacin flush occurs with such a small dose that I'm doing the vit c much higher. I'm taking maybe 70 mg niacin 3x/d and a total of 1000 mg of c. Very low, but I can tolerate it easily enough. My question is this: for niacin to work for cholesterol, you must feel the flush? I get a pretty good flush w/ this dose and hope for it to become more moderate by the time the long weekend is over--don't want to explain at work why I'm so red. Thanks all.
Niacin
Posted by Betty (CA) on 11/05/2021
Hi ORH, Lord knows I am trying :) Just relating what I am doing. What do you suggest if you will share your knowlege?
Niacin
Posted by ORH (TEN MILE, TN) on 11/05/2021
BETTY, ORH here and cholesterol is not a deal. Your brain is almost all cholesterol. You need it to survive. When it gets out of hand you have a problem. Too complicated to explain, so my suggestion to you is to read. Google is the devil, but it will get you the knowledge you need.
====ORH====
Niacin
Posted by Natasha (Sarasota) on 07/14/2024
Niacin flush is unpleasant but harmless.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Ppodruga (Ontario) on 01/24/2014
Hi, I have received my last blood results. The doctor wants me to start statins, but I am looking for some alternative help.
Here are my results:
CND US
- Total Cholesterol 8.42 (324 )
- HDL Cholesterol 3.03 (118)
- LDL Cholesterol 5.17 (199)
- Cholesterol/ HDL ratio is 2.8
Can somebody help me with the results?
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Prioris (Fl, Usa) on 01/25/2014
In regards to "I don't know why people get heart disease". It is real simple. The people who have clean arteries will not get heart disease. Doesn't matter what their cholesterol reads, what their blood pressure is etc. The arteries need to get cleaned. The way to clean them is with fibrinolytic enzymes. Look at the research China has done on Lumbrokinase.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Ppodruga (Toronto, Ontario) on 01/25/2014
I am 58 y.o. Also my triglycerides are 0.48 mmol/L. Not sure is it normal or not.....
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Kay (In The Valley) on 01/27/2014
Read the latest book out on the subject, "The Cholesterol Myth". Don't take those statins. Half the people that die of a heart attack have high levels and half have normal levels, what does that tell you? Good Luck
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Prioris (Fl, Usa) on 01/28/2014
Falsified research on beta blockers exposed. Doctors are still prescribing them. If you are on them, look into Nattokinase (or Lumbrokinase) and vitamin K2 (ML4). Below is the story.
...Patients undergoing surgery are routinely given a beta-blocker in order to reduce stress on the heart—but the research that led to the adoption of the practice was falsified, and doctors reckon that 800, 000 people have died as a result.
Beta-blockers, which are antihypertensives for lowering blood pressure, increase the chances of dying from a stroke or hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure levels) by 27 per cent.
http://www.wddty.com/routine-drug-before-surgery-has-killed-800-000-patients.html
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by lynn (pa) on 12/12/2023 7 posts
Hi Prioris,
I am very interesting about that you have very high cholesterol 370 about 50 years without any problem. I just tested my blood that I have same number as you total cholesterol 373, but my good one is 114 that mean my ratio is ok. I am 64 years old. do I need worry about it? how are you? still with that high cholesterol? your post make my mind open. do I need do something to lowering my cholesterol? I am healthy and no any health problem. Can anyone can answering my question if Prioris from FL does not see my post? I know this is very old post from Prioris. I hope that I can get some answers from somebody.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by lynn (pa) on 12/12/2023 7 posts
Hi Mama to Many,
Thank you for answering my question. I do not have high blood pressure and I do not have any related health problem. I did not take any prescription pills. I only take supplements. Right now I just want to control what I eat to slowly lower my cholesterol. Just wonder if Prioris from FL still doing ok with very high cholesterol that doctor will think.
Understanding Cholesterol Jumps
Posted by Robin (Rural Va) on 01/03/2014
Help me understand this. I recently had labs done, and had a 70 point jump in cholesterol since my last labs about a year ago. It went from 190 to 261. I don't have the breakdown, as it was a conversation with a nurse over the phone. I am 55 and just in menopause. I am currently not exercising, but during the spring and summer I walk 3 to 6 miles a day. I am not totally sedentary; I am a special education teacher, and walk from one end of the campus to the other several times a day. I recently lost 20 lbs, and am not overweight. I eat a fairly natural diet. However, I did have the labs done during the holiday when I had been eating fudge, and other holiday goodies. Would this cause the difference?
I have just been looking over the Cholesterol pages, and these are the things that I am already doing: Eat oatbran with EVCO every day. I take niacin 1,000, everyday. I take fish oil, and Evening Primrose Oil. I cook only with Coconut oil, and don't even have vegetable oils in my house. I sweeten my oatbran with BSM. I drink green tea at least once a day; any more than that makes me feel dehydtrated. I never drink sodas.
About two weeks ago I did the gall bladder cleanse with Olive Oil and lemon juice, and epsom salts, due to a pain under my ribs on right side that lasted two days.
I feel like I am doing pretty good for my age. I do have sciatic pain, and have just started having hot flashes, and have had insomnia for about 10 years.
I have read the comments that we should not be worried about our cholesterol. My concern is why the increase when I am already doing things that should prevent it. These things I do were not done to prevent high cholesterol, but for overall health.
Dr. wants me to go on a lowfat diet and recheck in 6 months. I feel I am already on a lowfat diet, except for the this holiday period. Any suggestions or explanations would be appreciated.
Understanding Cholesterol Jumps
Posted by Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 01/03/2014
Robin: God made raw wild harvested whole foods for his lovable creatures to enjoy so they could be well and happy. Watch raw food videos and become an 80/10/10er. We happen to be all across the globe. The head gurus are Dr. Doug Graham, Andrew Kim, and David Avocado Wolfe. Hear the excellent reviews from many ordinary people. All the problems can be remedied and you can feel and think better than in your entire life very rapidly. Thank you.
Understanding Cholesterol Jumps
Posted by Trudy (Al) on 01/04/2014
I agree that it's probably the holiday eating. I had the same thing happen to me--jumped very high. I'm in the same situation as you, menopause/insomnia/eat fairly well/exercise enough/weight ok. I fasted for 12+ hours before my last test, but the several days prior we had been out of town and you have to eat what your host presents to you and it was all fried/high fat/high sweets. I'll know better next time to eat right the entire week or so before the text. I take niacin for insomnia, eat oats, only use evco, eat very well, etc. There was absolutely no other reason for it to have gone up like it did. The only difference I am doing now is eating at least 1 apple/day. This is because I read that a pink lady apple helps prevent ulcers, so for a different reason and the pectin will help with cholesterol.
