Best Supplements for Reduced LDL Cholesterol
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 113 supplements across 162 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- High evidence5 studies
Across 5 studies, all 5 reported beneficial effects of rice bran supplementation on reducing LDL cholesterol, with predominantly moderate effect sizes. The most robust evidence comes from two meta-analyses (n=1255 and n=572) showing LDL reductions of approximately 14-15 mg/dL. Effects were typically observed at doses around 30 g/day, and the median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks) among the one study that reported duration, suggesting benefits manifest within several weeks of consistent use.
Dose: ~30 g/day - High evidence4 studies
Across all 4 studies in the database, L-carnitine supplementation shows a consistent beneficial effect on reducing LDL cholesterol, with a moderate typical effect size. All 4 studies reported statistically significant improvements, and the median study duration across reporting studies was 56 days, indicating effects are typically observed at 6-10 weeks. The most-studied dose range is 50 mg/kg/day to 3000 mg/day, with evidence drawn mainly from clinical populations including women with PCOS, children on hemodialysis, and individuals with overweight/obesity or diabetes.
Dose: 50 mg/kg/day to 3000 mg/day - Moderate evidence4 studies
Across 4 meta-analyses and systematic reviews, all 4 reported small beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on reducing LDL cholesterol, with 3 of the 4 analyses achieving statistical significance. The largest pooled analysis (26 RCTs, 2104 participants) confirmed a significant small reduction. Doses and study durations were not consistently reported across the included reviews.
- Highrice branAcross 5 studies, all 5 reported beneficial effects of rice bran supplementation on reducing LDL cholesterol, with predominantly moderate effect sizes. The most robust evidence comes from two meta-analyses (n=1255 and n=572) showing LDL reductions of approximately 14-15 mg/dL. Effects were typically observed at doses around 30 g/day, and the median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks) among the one study that reported duration, suggesting benefits manifest within several weeks of consistent use. · Dose: ~30 g/day5 beneficial5 studies
- HighL-CarnitineAcross all 4 studies in the database, L-carnitine supplementation shows a consistent beneficial effect on reducing LDL cholesterol, with a moderate typical effect size. All 4 studies reported statistically significant improvements, and the median study duration across reporting studies was 56 days, indicating effects are typically observed at 6-10 weeks. The most-studied dose range is 50 mg/kg/day to 3000 mg/day, with evidence drawn mainly from clinical populations including women with PCOS, children on hemodialysis, and individuals with overweight/obesity or diabetes. · Dose: 50 mg/kg/day to 3000 mg/day4 beneficial4 studies
- ModerateLactobacillus plantarumAcross 4 meta-analyses and systematic reviews, all 4 reported small beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on reducing LDL cholesterol, with 3 of the 4 analyses achieving statistical significance. The largest pooled analysis (26 RCTs, 2104 participants) confirmed a significant small reduction. Doses and study durations were not consistently reported across the included reviews.4 beneficial4 studies
- LowOlive OilAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial small-sized effects of olive oil on reducing LDL cholesterol, with 1 neutral finding. Effects were typically observed at 84 days (median study duration), primarily in clinical populations such as individuals with central obesity. The most-studied form was extra virgin olive oil, though formal dose data were limited.3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- LowAnthocyaninsAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of anthocyanins on reducing LDL cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The largest study, a meta-analysis of 32 RCTs (1491 participants), found a moderate beneficial effect (SMD: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.05). The median study duration was 168 days, suggesting effects may take several months to manifest. One study used a dose of 320 mg/day in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or cardiometabolic disorders. · Dose: 320 mg/day3 beneficial3 studies
- LowRed GrapeAcross all 3 studies in the database, Red Grape supplementation (primarily as grape seed extract) shows beneficial small effects on reducing LDL cholesterol. Effects were statistically significant in all 3 studies, with a median study duration of 60 days suggesting effects are typically observed after 8-12 weeks. The most-studied population includes individuals with NAFLD and those with hypercholesterolemia or metabolic syndrome, though doses varied and were not consistently reported.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowVitamin DAcross 5 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects and 3 found neutral results, with no evidence of harm. The predominant effect size among beneficial studies was small-to-moderate, and effects were most notable in clinical populations (e.g., women with gestational diabetes). The median study duration was 42 days, but only 1 of 5 studies reported duration, limiting generalizability. · Dose: 1000 IU/day2 beneficial3 neutral5 studies
- LowavocadoAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial small-sized effects on LDL cholesterol reduction, while 1 high-quality randomized controlled trial found no significant benefit. The evidence base is small and preliminary, with most studies focusing on clinical populations with dyslipidemia or elevated cardiometabolic risk. The typical dose approximated 1 avocado (180 g) per day based on limited data, but a wide range (30–500 g/day) was also reported.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowSoy ProteinAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects on LDL cholesterol reduction (one moderate, one small), while 1 found no effect. The evidence is preliminary and based on a small number of studies, with the only specific dose reported being 40 g/day. Median study duration (90 days) comes from a single trial.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- Lowchia seedAcross 4 studies, 1 reported a beneficial moderate-sized effect of chia seed supplementation on reducing LDL cholesterol, while 3 found neutral effects. The only supportive study was a 2025 meta-analysis (n=500) showing a moderate effect (g = -0.300), but the predominant effect across all evidence is neutral and small in magnitude. The median study duration was 84 days, though only 1 of 4 studies reported duration; the most-studied dose was 50 g/day in one trial, and populations included overweight/obese adults and clinical trial participants.1 beneficial3 neutral4 studies
- Lowbrown riceAcross 3 studies, 1 reported a small beneficial effect on LDL cholesterol reduction, while 2 found neutral effects. The evidence base is limited and mixed, with benefits possibly limited to overweight individuals (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). The median study duration was 73 days, indicating effects were typically assessed after about 10 weeks.1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies