Best Supplements for Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 76 supplements across 97 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Low evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies (2 RCTs, 2 meta-analyses), 2 reported beneficial effects (small to moderate) on HDL cholesterol, while 2 found neutral effects. The median study duration was 87 days (~12 weeks). Most evidence comes from clinical populations with metabolic or inflammatory conditions, but the beneficial effects were observed primarily in meta-analyses, whereas individual RCTs showed non-significant trends.
- Low evidence3 studies
Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (one small, one large) on HDL cholesterol, while 1 meta-analysis found no significant effect. The median study duration was 42 days. The most studied dose was 30 g/d of rice bran oil, but doses varied; populations included healthy adults with low dietary fiber intake and overweight/obese adults with metabolic syndrome.
- Low evidence3 studies
Across 3 studies, only 1 (an umbrella meta-analysis) reported a small statistically significant beneficial effect of L-carnitine on HDL cholesterol, while 2 randomized controlled trials found no significant effect. The predominant effect size is small, and the median study duration was 77 days (about 11 weeks). The evidence base is too limited to draw firm conclusions about dose or population.
- LowTurmericAcross 4 studies (2 RCTs, 2 meta-analyses), 2 reported beneficial effects (small to moderate) on HDL cholesterol, while 2 found neutral effects. The median study duration was 87 days (~12 weeks). Most evidence comes from clinical populations with metabolic or inflammatory conditions, but the beneficial effects were observed primarily in meta-analyses, whereas individual RCTs showed non-significant trends.2 beneficial2 neutral4 studies
- Lowrice branAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (one small, one large) on HDL cholesterol, while 1 meta-analysis found no significant effect. The median study duration was 42 days. The most studied dose was 30 g/d of rice bran oil, but doses varied; populations included healthy adults with low dietary fiber intake and overweight/obese adults with metabolic syndrome.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowL-CarnitineAcross 3 studies, only 1 (an umbrella meta-analysis) reported a small statistically significant beneficial effect of L-carnitine on HDL cholesterol, while 2 randomized controlled trials found no significant effect. The predominant effect size is small, and the median study duration was 77 days (about 11 weeks). The evidence base is too limited to draw firm conclusions about dose or population.1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies
- Very lowVitamin DAcross 3 studies, 1 reported a small beneficial effect of vitamin D on increasing HDL cholesterol levels in pediatric patients with MASLD, 1 reported a small harmful effect (reducing HDL-C) in obese/overweight children and adolescents, and 1 reported no significant association. The evidence is conflicting, and the predominant effect size is small but inconsistent. No consistent dose or form emerged across studies.1 beneficial1 neutral1 harmful3 studies