High cholesterol
Check what applies to you and the best-matched supplements move to the top.
Nothing checked yetDefault order, by strength of evidence.
Bottom line
For high cholesterol, start with Omega-3, Aged garlic extract, Berberine. The first one to look at is Omega-3 — 2,000–3,000 mg of EPA+DHA for triglycerides; Right after a meal. If you take 2+ capsules, split them across meals.
Supplements ranked for this concern
AWell researchedBSome evidenceCLimited evidence
| # | Supplement | Evidence | When | How much | Caution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omega-3Matches your checks Clearly lowers triglycerides, so it's even used as a prescription drug. LDL stays mostly the same. |
A | Right after a meal. If you take 2+ capsules, split them across meals. | 2,000–3,000 mg of EPA+DHA for triglycerides | LDL can go up in some people. If it rises a lot, stop and talk to your doctor. | Compare products |
| 2 | Aged garlic extractMatches your checks May help regulate cholesterol production and gently lower LDL. It's on the safer side. |
A | After meals. If you take several capsules, split between morning and evening. | 2–4 capsules of 300 mg a day | If you take a blood thinner or aspirin, it may raise bleeding risk. Talk to your doctor. | Details |
| 3 | BerberineMatches your checks Lots of data show it may lower LDL, triglycerides and blood sugar together, so it's a good fit if your blood sugar is high too. |
A | After meals, split into 2–3 doses | 500–1,500 mg a day (start with 1 capsule) | If your stomach hurts, take it after meals and lower the dose. If you take diabetes drugs or immunosuppressants, talk to your doctor first. | Compare products |
| 4 | Fiber supplementMatches your checks Blocks some sugar and cholesterol absorption in the gut, which may help with LDL and triglycerides. |
B | Before or between meals, with 1–2 glasses of water | About 5 g of fiber per dose, 1–2 times a day | Without enough water, it can cause stomach pain or constipation. | Compare products |
| 5 | Red yeast riceMatches your checks Contains the same compound as a statin (monacolin K), so it may help lower LDL quickly. |
A | After dinner, for no more than 3–6 months | 1,200 mg of red yeast rice (about 2–3 mg monacolin K) | It has the same liver and muscle side effects as the drug. Avoid it if you have liver problems or take a statin. | Details |
| 6 | Probiotics (cholesterol strains)Matches your checks Specialized strains may help trap cholesterol so it isn't reabsorbed. Checking the strain matters. |
B | Before breakfast works well | As directed on the label, starting with 1 capsule a day | If you also take berberine, take them at different times. | Compare products |
| 7 | Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)Matches your checks Statins lower the body's CoQ10, so many people on statins take it alongside. |
B | After breakfast or lunch | 100–200 mg a day | Taken with blood pressure medicine, it may make you dizzy. | Compare products |
| 8 | LecithinMatches your checks Helps break down and clear cholesterol. A mild, gentle extra for managing LDL. |
C | After a meal | 5–10 g a day (1 spoonful of granules is about 10 g) | If you take a blood thinner, talk to your doctor first. | Details |
Medications to watch out for
If you take any medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Statins (cholesterol medicine)Red yeast riceThey contain the same compound, so side effects add up and cholesterol may drop too low. Don't take them together.
Simvastatin (Zocor)Berberine · Green tea extractThere may be some interactions. If you take it, check with your doctor.
Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)Omega-3 · Aged garlic · Berberine · CoQ10May affect bleeding risk or how the drug works. Talk to your doctor.
Diabetes drugs and insulinBerberineBlood sugar may drop too low. Be especially careful right after your dose is increased.
ImmunosuppressantsBerberine · ProbioticsDrug levels may rise or infection risk may increase. Talk to your doctor before taking them.
Before supplements: daily habits
- 01Cut back on foods high in saturated and trans fats, like fatty cuts of meat and fried foods.
- 02If your triglycerides are high, cutting alcohol, sweets and refined flour first makes the biggest difference.
- 03Exercise that makes you sweat, 3+ times a week, can help raise HDL and lower triglycerides.
- 04Try 1–2 cups of green tea a day, and switch to healthier oils like olive oil.
- 05If your numbers are very high or you're on medicine, think of supplements as support only.
Product comparison
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burp Less Ultra Omega-3 from Fish Oil 1400 mgBest value Nature Made |
EE (ethyl ester), enteric-coated | 935 mg | 90 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 950 mg Solgar |
EE (ethyl ester) | 882 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 2400 mg, Lemon Nature's Branch |
Form not listed, lemon flavor | 1440 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| Extra-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000 mg + Vitamin E, Lemon NatureWise |
EE (ethyl ester), lemon flavor | 1000 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 1250 mg (Wild Alaska Pollock) Sports Research |
rTG (re-esterified triglyceride) | 950 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 2000 mg Dr. Tobias |
Form not listed, enteric-coated | 1400 mg | 180 | Average | Amazon → |
| Burp Less Omega-3 Fish Oil 1400 mg Minis Nature Made |
EE (ethyl ester), mini softgels | 930 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 3000 mg, Lemon BioSchwartz |
Form not listed, lemon flavor | 2100 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Omega-3 products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berberine HCl 500 mg (60 Capsules)Best value Double Wood Supplements |
Regular (berberine HCl) | 500 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Berberine 500 mg (100 VegCaps) Solaray |
Regular (berberine HCl) | 500 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Premium Berberine+ Plus 1200 mg (120 Caps) Nutrivein |
Regular (berberine HCl) + a little cinnamon | 1200 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Berberine HCl 1200mg with Ceylon Cinnamon (120 Capsules) NutriFlair |
Regular (berberine HCl) + a little cinnamon | 1200 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Berberine HCl 1,200 mg (60 Capsules) Nutricost |
Regular (berberine HCl) | 1200 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Berberine Glucose Support with MCT Oil (90 Softgels) NOW Foods |
Regular (berberine HCl), MCT oil softgel | 400 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Berberine (Berbevis Phytosome + HCl, 60 Capsules) Thorne |
Blend (regular HCl + Berbevis phytosome) | Berberine HCl 450 mg + Berbevis phytosome 550 mg per serving (2 capsules) | 60 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all Berberine products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Psyllium Husks, 16 ozBest value NOW Foods |
Whole psyllium husk (unflavored, psyllium only) | 2 tablespoons (10 g): fiber 7 g | 45 | Low | Amazon → |
| OPTIFIBER (Wheat Dextrin), 25.6 oz x 2 Kirkland Signature |
Wheat dextrin powder (unflavored, single ingredient) | 2 teaspoons (4 g): fiber 3 g | 380 | Low | Amazon → |
| Psyllium Husk Powder, 12 oz NOW Foods |
Psyllium powder (unflavored, psyllium only) | 1 tablespoon (9 g): fiber 7 g | 37 | Low | Amazon → |
| Prebiotic Fiber Powder, Unflavored, 28 Stick Packs Benefiber |
Wheat dextrin powder sticks (unflavored, single ingredient) | 1 stick (4 g): fiber 3 g | 28 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Fiber supplement products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOSBest value Jarrow Formulas |
Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic yeast) + MOS | 1 capsule: 5 billion | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| Probiotic-10 25 Billion NOW Foods |
Danisco 10-strain capsule | 1 capsule: 25 billion CFU | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Colon Health Daily Probiotic Phillips' |
LGG + BB-12 | 1 capsule: 3 billion CFU (through expiration) | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Pro Strength Digestive Daily Probiotic 12 Billion Culturelle |
LGG single strain + inulin | 1 capsule: 12 billion CFU | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Ultimate Flora Women's Care 25 Billion Renew Life |
12 strains including vaginal strains (GR-1, RC-14) | 1 capsule: 25 billion CFU | 30 | Average | Amazon → |
| Digestive Daily Probiotic 10 Billion Culturelle |
LGG single strain + inulin | 1 capsule: 10 billion CFU | 30 | Average | Amazon → |
| Probiotic 40 Billion CFU BioSchwartz |
Danisco 4-strain capsule | 2 capsules: 40 billion CFU (20 billion guaranteed through expiration) | 120 | Average | Amazon → |
| Ultimate Flora Extra Care 30 Billion Renew Life |
12-strain capsule, mostly Bifidobacteria | 1 capsule: 30 billion CFU | 30 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Probiotics (cholesterol strains) products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co Q-10 100 mg (Q-Sorb) Rapid Release SoftgelsBest value Puritan's Pride |
Water-soluble Q-Sorb ubiquinone in rice bran oil softgels | 100 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 100 mg Vegetarian Capsules Nutricost |
CoQ10 powder with rice flour in veggie capsules | 100 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 100 mg Softgels NOW Foods |
Ubiquinone in olive oil softgels | 100 mg | 150 | Low | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 100 mg Softgels Nature Made |
Ubiquinone in soybean oil softgels | 100 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Ultra CoQ10 100 mg Softgels Qunol |
Water-soluble ubiquinone (USP-grade) in MCT softgels | 100 mg | 120 | Average | Amazon → |
| Mega CoQ10 Ubiquinol 100 mg Softgels Qunol |
Ubiquinol (Kaneka) in MCT softgels | 100 mg | 100 | Average | Amazon → |
| Ubiquinol 100 mg Softgels Qunol |
Ubiquinol (Kaneka) in MCT softgels | 100 mg | 120 | Average | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 200 mg Softgels Nature Made |
Ubiquinone in soybean oil softgels | 200 mg | 105 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) products →
Cost per day is relative — compared with other products of the same supplement. Check Amazon for the current price. Some links are affiliate links.