Best Supplements for Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 95 supplements across 127 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence5 studies
Across 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects on reducing blood cholesterol, with effect sizes that are mixed (small to large). The highest-quality evidence (two meta-analyses) shows moderate reductions in total cholesterol (approximately 11–14 mg/dL). Effects are most studied at doses around 30 g/day of rice bran or rice bran oil, primarily in adults with metabolic syndrome or overweight/obesity. Median study duration was 56 days based on one trial, suggesting effects may appear within 8 weeks.
Dose: 30 g/day - Moderate evidence3 studies
Across all 3 studies, soy protein supplementation showed beneficial moderate-sized effects on reducing blood cholesterol. Two studies found moderate reductions (e.g., total cholesterol decrease of -20.55 mg/dL in CKD patients; mean difference -0.55 for cholesterol in T2DN patients), while one study found a small reduction (WMD = -0.11) in postmenopausal women. The evidence is based primarily on clinical populations with kidney disease or diabetes, and no specific dose range emerged from the available data.
- Low evidence4 studies
Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 on reducing blood cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. Statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were observed in a randomized controlled trial (9.14% reduction in total cholesterol, P<0.001) and two meta-analyses. The most studied population is hypercholesterolemic adults, though one meta-analysis included general adult populations from multiple strains.
Product matchLife Extension — FLORASSIST Probiotic Heart Health2,500,000,000 CFU · $23.99 · ★4.6 (406)
- Moderaterice branAcross 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects on reducing blood cholesterol, with effect sizes that are mixed (small to large). The highest-quality evidence (two meta-analyses) shows moderate reductions in total cholesterol (approximately 11–14 mg/dL). Effects are most studied at doses around 30 g/day of rice bran or rice bran oil, primarily in adults with metabolic syndrome or overweight/obesity. Median study duration was 56 days based on one trial, suggesting effects may appear within 8 weeks. · Dose: 30 g/day4 beneficial1 neutral5 studies
- LowLactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 on reducing blood cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. Statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were observed in a randomized controlled trial (9.14% reduction in total cholesterol, P<0.001) and two meta-analyses. The most studied population is hypercholesterolemic adults, though one meta-analysis included general adult populations from multiple strains.4 beneficial4 studies
- ModerateSoy ProteinAcross all 3 studies, soy protein supplementation showed beneficial moderate-sized effects on reducing blood cholesterol. Two studies found moderate reductions (e.g., total cholesterol decrease of -20.55 mg/dL in CKD patients; mean difference -0.55 for cholesterol in T2DN patients), while one study found a small reduction (WMD = -0.11) in postmenopausal women. The evidence is based primarily on clinical populations with kidney disease or diabetes, and no specific dose range emerged from the available data.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowL-CarnitineAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects and 1 reported neutral effects on reduced blood cholesterol, with effects ranging from small to large. The predominant effect direction is beneficial, but effect sizes are mixed (small to large). The only study reporting duration observed effects at 42 days. The most-studied dose was 1-3 g/day, primarily in clinical populations (type 2 diabetes, PCOS). · Dose: 1-3 g/day2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowTurmericAcross 3 studies, 2 reported small beneficial effects of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on reducing blood cholesterol, while 1 found neutral results. The beneficial effects were statistically significant in meta-analyses, with reductions in total cholesterol ranging from -6.58 to -7.76 mg/dL. Evidence primarily comes from meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials in adults, including those with metabolic conditions, but dose and duration were not consistently reported.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- Very lowLactobacillus plantarumAcross 3 studies, 2 reported small beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on reducing total cholesterol, while 1 found a neutral non-significant effect. The aggregate evidence shows a small beneficial effect direction, but the evidence base is very limited. No consistent dose range or study duration could be identified due to incomplete reporting.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowVitamin DAcross 4 meta-analyses, 1 reported a beneficial small effect of vitamin D supplementation on reducing total cholesterol in patients with diabetes and prediabetes, while 3 found neutral effects with small effect sizes. The majority of studies showed no statistically significant benefit, and the overall evidence does not support a clear cholesterol-lowering effect from vitamin D supplementation in general populations. The most-studied populations were clinical groups (e.g., children with obesity, patients with diabetes, MAFLD), but doses and forms were not consistently reported.1 beneficial3 neutral4 studies