Best Supplements for Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 92 supplements across 144 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- High evidence8 studies
Across 8 studies, 7 reported beneficial effects of berberine on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The most commonly tested dose was 500–1200 mg/day, and effects were typically observed in clinical populations with metabolic conditions (e.g., MASLD, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia) over a median study duration of 84 days (12 weeks).
Dose: 500–1200 mg/day - High evidence5 studies
Across all 5 studies in the database, garlic supplementation consistently shows a beneficial effect on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with all 5 studies reporting significant findings. The predominant effect size is moderate, with meta-analyses reporting standardized mean differences (SMD) around -0.44 and weighted mean differences (WMD) of -0.44 mmol/L. The median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks), suggesting effects are typically observable within this timeframe. Most studies focused on clinical populations with metabolic disorders, dyslipidemia, or hypertension.
- High evidence5 studies
Across 5 studies, all reported beneficial effects of artichoke on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with statistically significant findings in every case. Effect sizes were mixed (small to moderate), and the most-studied dose was 600 mg daily of artichoke leaf extract. Effects were typically observed at 6–8 weeks (median study duration 51 days), primarily in clinical populations with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or undergoing bariatric surgery.
Dose: 600 mg daily
92 supplements
- HighBerberineAcross 8 studies, 7 reported beneficial effects of berberine on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The most commonly tested dose was 500–1200 mg/day, and effects were typically observed in clinical populations with metabolic conditions (e.g., MASLD, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia) over a median study duration of 84 days (12 weeks). · Dose: 500–1200 mg/day7 beneficial1 neutral8 studies
- HighGarlicAcross all 5 studies in the database, garlic supplementation consistently shows a beneficial effect on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with all 5 studies reporting significant findings. The predominant effect size is moderate, with meta-analyses reporting standardized mean differences (SMD) around -0.44 and weighted mean differences (WMD) of -0.44 mmol/L. The median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks), suggesting effects are typically observable within this timeframe. Most studies focused on clinical populations with metabolic disorders, dyslipidemia, or hypertension.5 beneficial5 studies
- HighArtichokeAcross 5 studies, all reported beneficial effects of artichoke on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with statistically significant findings in every case. Effect sizes were mixed (small to moderate), and the most-studied dose was 600 mg daily of artichoke leaf extract. Effects were typically observed at 6–8 weeks (median study duration 51 days), primarily in clinical populations with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or undergoing bariatric surgery. · Dose: 600 mg daily5 beneficial5 studies
- HighL-CarnitineAcross 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of L-carnitine on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with a predominant effect size of small. The evidence includes multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews, with effects observed in clinical populations such as adults with type 2 diabetes and women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Doses ranged from 1 g/day to over 2 g/day, though duration and form were inconsistently reported.4 beneficial1 neutral5 studies
- Lowred yeast riceAcross 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects of red yeast rice on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with a predominantly moderate effect size. The most-studied dose range was 200 mg/day to 200-4800 mg daily (with monacolin K content around 3 mg/day), studied primarily in clinical populations with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia or hyperlipidemia. The median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks), suggesting effects are typically observed at 8 weeks. · Dose: 200 mg/day (standardized to approximately 3 mg monacolin K) to 4800 mg/day4 beneficial4 studies
- ModerateGymnemaAcross all 3 studies, Gymnema supplementation showed beneficial effects on reducing LDL cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate (predominantly moderate). The most studied dose was 300 mg twice daily (600 mg/day), and effects were typically observed at 12 weeks. Evidence comes from clinical populations with metabolic syndrome or impaired glucose tolerance. · Dose: 300 mg twice daily (600 mg/day)3 beneficial3 studies
- LowThistleAcross 3 studies, all reported statistically significant beneficial effects of thistle (silymarin/silibinin) on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Effect sizes were small in two studies and moderate in one, with the largest and highest-quality study (a meta-analysis of 2,283 patients) showing a small but significant reduction (SMD: -0.25). No consistent dose, form, or duration data were available across studies.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowflaxseedAcross 4 studies on flaxseed for reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, 2 reported beneficial effects and 2 reported neutral results, yielding a mixed evidence base. The beneficial effects were small to moderate in magnitude, with one meta-analysis showing a significant reduction in postmenopausal women (WMD = -0.15 mmol/L, p = 0.0067), while larger meta-analyses in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease found no significant effect. Doses of ≥30 g/day over at least 12 weeks were associated with benefit in one review, but overall the most-studied dose range is not consistently reported.2 beneficial2 neutral4 studies
- LowBlack CuminAcross 3 meta-analyses, 2 reported beneficial effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) supplementation on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. The largest and highest-quality study (82 RCTs, 5026 participants) found moderate beneficial effects, while a second meta-analysis reported a large effect (SMD: -2.45). The third study showed neutral effects in type 2 diabetes patients. Doses varied widely (200–4600 mg/day), and median study duration was only 7 days, which is too short to draw conclusions about long-term effects. · Dose: 200 to 4600 mg/day2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowTurmericAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects of turmeric/curcumin on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate, while 1 study found a neutral effect. The beneficial findings were statistically significant in both positive studies, including a meta-analysis showing a small reduction (MD = -5.95 mg/dL). Evidence is limited to clinical populations (e.g., type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome), and effects were typically observed at a median study duration of 90 days. · Dose: 2.5 g of Curcuma Longa extract three times per week (from one study with a neutral finding)2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowResveratrolAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects of resveratrol on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate; 1 study found no significant effect. The beneficial findings were statistically significant. The evidence primarily comes from systematic reviews and meta-analyses in clinical populations, including adults with MASLD and type 2 diabetes, but no consistent dose range or study duration was reported.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- Lowrice branAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects of rice bran on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. One neutral meta-analysis found no significant effect. The median study duration was 42 days (6 weeks), suggesting effects may appear after several weeks of supplementation. The limited evidence base (only 3 studies) and mixed results warrant caution. · Dose: 30 grams per day of rice bran oil or defatted rice bran-fortified bread providing the equivalent of 30 grams daily2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowVitamin DAcross 3 studies, all reported neutral, small-sized effects of vitamin D supplementation on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. No beneficial or harmful effects were observed. The evidence is drawn primarily from systematic reviews and meta-analyses in clinical populations including type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome, as well as healthy adults. Doses and study durations were not consistently reported, and no statistically significant findings were noted.3 neutral3 studies