Fish oil (omega-3). Over the past 20 years, a great many studies of all kinds have looked at the effects of fish oil on the cardiovascular health. Fish oil has been shown to have positive effects on several risk factors for cardiovascular disease: blood lipid levels, blood pressure, vascular function, inflammation, etc. The most marked and best documented effect is the reduction of excessively high rates of triglycerides. However, it does not have a marked effect on cholesterol levels. Taking fish oil supplements would also reduce relapses of heart attacks and heart attacks.

Dosage

Consult our Fish Oils sheet for the dosage.

 Phytosterols. Numerous clinical trials show that phytosterols (sterols of plant origin), taken long term, lower LDL (“bad cholesterol”) levels from 10% to 14%, without any adverse effects.^8-11 . In addition, the simultaneous intake of phytosterols and statins allows to further reduce the rate of cholesterol^11,4. In fact, the 2 treatments have a complementary effect: statins reduce the production of cholesterol by the body, while phytosterols limit its absorption in the intestine.

Dosage

Take 2 g to 2,5 g of phytosterols per day in 2 or 3 doses, just before meals or while eating when they are added to food products (margarines (for example, Primrose pro.activ®), etc. .). A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol increases the effectiveness of this treatment.

 Soy protein. Numerous studies examining the effects of a high soy diet on cardiovascular health indicate that a daily consumption of at least 25 g of soy protein decreases the rate of lipids blood and the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with it. The effects go through a reduction in LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and triglycerides. For more details, refer to our Soy Proteins and Isoflavones sheet.

Dosage

Consume at least 25g per day of soy protein (about 150 from soy steak), in conjunction with a low fat diet.

Notes. The beneficial effect on overall cardiovascular health is most pronounced when animal protein is completely replaced by soy protein.

 psyllium (Plantago sp.). These are laxative fibers at a higher concentration. The authors of 2 meta-analyzes, one published in 1997, the other in 2000, concluded that taking 5 g of psyllium, twice a day, provided additional benefits for people with hyperlipidemia following a low-fat diet.^36,37. In addition, researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have observed that the use of psyllium, apart from any other dietary measure, was also effective in lowering blood levels. lipids blood than eating a low-fat diet³⁸. In another trial, adding 15 g of psyllium to a suboptimal daily dose (10 mg) of simvastatin (a drug for high cholesterol) was also found to reduce cholesterol levels equivalent to the same statin taken at the optimal dose (20 mg)³⁹.

Dosage

Take 10 g to 20 g per day in 2 or 3 doses.

 Red rice yeast (monascus purpureus). The effectiveness of this product in reducing blood lipid levels is based on solid scientific evidence. Simvastatin, which is the reference statin, comes from red yeast rice. However, it is difficult to obtain it in North America. Most of the clinical trials have focused on the product Xuezhikang®, marketed in China. It is possible to obtain red yeast rice under other brands, but the quality of these products is variable since they are not standardized. For more information, see our Red Yeast Rice sheet. This product is not devoid of side effects because it was used as the basis for the manufacture of statins and can cause muscle pain sometimes formidable and justifying its discontinuation..

 Artichoke (Cynara scolymus). Although artichoke is primarily used to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, it has been found to have an effect on blood levels as well. cholesterol during clinical trials^25-27 . Certain compounds in artichoke, luteolin for example, would inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol or prevent the production of bad cholesterol.

Dosage

Consult our Artichoke file (psn) for the dosage.

 guggul (Commiphora mukul). It is a resin from a shrub growing in India or Pakistan. The results of numerous studies conducted in India suggested that guggul extracts could reduce cholesterol levels by 10% to 27%^29-31 . However, the methodological quality of several of them was low, and these positive results were not reproduced in subsequent clinical trials in the United States (with the Guggulipid® extract).³⁵ and in Norway (with Cardioreuma® extract)³².