To lower my cholesterol, I am taking a phytosterol supplement. Will taking other supplements, like red yeast rice or fish oil, help lower my cholesterol even further?

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated September 27, 2017 ⓘ

Answer:

Adding plant sterols ("phytosterols") or stanols to therapy with prescription statin drugs can often lower LDL "bad" cholesterol levels more than statin drugs alone. Adding red yeast rice (which naturally contains statins) has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol more than taking sterols alone, particularly if you are only using a modest amount of sterols. There is also some evidence that taking curcumin may increase the cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols. (Red yeast rice is the most powerful cholesterol-reducing supplement - although choosing the right brand is critical, as ConsumerLab.com's tests have shown that some brands have much greater chemical strength than others.)

Fish oil, in large doses, can lower elevated levels of triglycerides, although it is not known to lower LDL cholesterol. However, a study in which various doses of fish oil were added to phytosterol treatment found that higher amounts of fish oil resulted in slightly greater reductions in LDL than the phytosterol alone - although this added benefit was not found with a lower dose of fish oil. HDL "good" cholesterol also increased by a small but statistically significant amount with high-dose fish oil.

Get more details, including dosage and safety information, in the Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements Review >>

Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,400 reviews.

Join Now

Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/

4 Comments

George M4856

February 03, 2023

Some reviewers here talked about high doses of fish oil. I just wanted to add a warning.

Several years ago, I read that high doses of fish oil (around 6 grams or more) can help with depression. I worked my way up to to about 4 grams/day, and began having nosebleeds. When I stopped the fish oil, the problem stopped. I experimented again after a week, and the problem started again. When I stopped the fish oil, the problem stopped again. After a little more research, I learned that this problem is not unusual.

I presume the thinning effects of the oil caused the nosebleeds. Now, I can handle one 500 mg capsule a day just fine. But I would recommend monitoring your reaction to the high doses.

Reply to this post…

Maggie Ann

September 06, 2015

Interesting comment regarding HDL "also increased by a small but statistically significant amount with high-dose fish oil". After having a friend tell me his doctor suggested large doses of fish oil to raise his HDL, I tried it. Started with 12 grams daily; my HDL rose from the mid 30's which I had for years to the mid 50's when I had my next physical. Have since lowered the intake to 6 grams daily and still have maintained the HDL in the mid 50's. Have done nothing else that I am aware of to account for this change.

Reply to this post…