Heart health is key for long-term health.
Research shows that many other diseases may arise from cardiovascular issues. It’s thought that elevated cholesterol numbers are one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease.
Using natural herbs for lowering cholesterol levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
This article summarizes some of the most significant scientific research behind the best herbs for lowering cholesterol.
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The Best Herbs for Cholesterol & Heart Health
Below are the best research-backed herbs for lowering cholesterol.
These heart-supporting herbs have been known to be therapeutic for the cardiovascular system in a number of different ways.
1. Citrus Bergamot
Research has discovered that citrus bergamot is one of the best herbs to lower cholesterol quickly.
It’s thought that citrus bergamot works similarly to a stain drug by inhibiting HMG-CoA, a key precursor for cholesterol synthesis. Essentially, citrus bergamot works by reducing the total amount of cholesterol that your body manufactures. In simple terms, citrus bergamot appears to have the ability to “throttle down” your body’s cholesterol production.
In a clinical trial involving 237 subjects, researchers found that 500mg or 1,000mg of citrus bergamot per day had a significant impact on total cholesterol biomarkers. Over 3 months, total cholesterol was reduced by 20% (500mg of bergamot) and 30.9% (1,000mg of bergamot). LDL was reduced by 23% (500mg of bergamot) and by 38.6% (1,000mg of bergamot), while HDL was increased by 25.9% (500mg of bergamot) and by 39% (1,000mg of bergamot).
A comparison trial observing 77 participants with elevated LDL and triglycerides found that 500mg of bergamot extract was able to reduce total LDL cholesterol over the course of a month. The results were comparable to the effect that rosuvastatin (a statin drug) had on subjects. Researchers noted that it was safe for both bergamot extract and rosuvastatin to be taken together over the course of 30 days.
In a small clinical trial,11 subjects were observed while taking a blend of bergamot along with 8 other fruits. Participants took 2 capsules daily (500mg of bergamot fruit extract and 220mg phytochemical complex blend) for 3 months. This protocol resulted in a 7.3% total cholesterol reduction and a 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Another clinical trial found that bergamot was effective for decreasing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in participants with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Subjects received a 150mg citrus bergamot supplement daily for 6 months containing the flavonoids neoeriocitrin, neohesperidin, and naringin.
In another study that lasted for 30 days, bergamot