Best Supplements for Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 107 supplements across 177 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- High evidence6 studies
Across 6 studies, all reported beneficial effects of garlic on reducing LDL cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate; the predominant effect size was moderate. The evidence is drawn from meta-analyses and systematic reviews, primarily in clinical populations with metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, or hypertension. The median study duration was 56 days, suggesting effects typically observed at 8 weeks.
- High evidence5 studies
Across 5 studies, all reported beneficial effects of artichoke on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The most robust evidence comes from a meta-analysis showing a moderate reduction in LDL-C (WMD: -14.9 mg/dL). Effects were typically observed at 6–8 weeks (median study duration 51 days), and the most common studied population included people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Dose: 600 mg daily - Moderate evidence8 studies
Across 8 studies, 7 reported beneficial effects, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The predominant effect size is moderate, with the strongest evidence supporting reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The typical dose studied was around 500–1000 mg/day, with effects observed over a median duration of 12 weeks. The most-studied population was adults with metabolic conditions including hyperlipidemia, MASLD, and type 2 diabetes.
Dose: 500–1200 mg/day (typically 500 mg twice daily or 1 g/day)
107 supplements
- ModerateBerberineAcross 8 studies, 7 reported beneficial effects, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The predominant effect size is moderate, with the strongest evidence supporting reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The typical dose studied was around 500–1000 mg/day, with effects observed over a median duration of 12 weeks. The most-studied population was adults with metabolic conditions including hyperlipidemia, MASLD, and type 2 diabetes. · Dose: 500–1200 mg/day (typically 500 mg twice daily or 1 g/day)7 beneficial1 neutral8 studies
- HighGarlicAcross 6 studies, all reported beneficial effects of garlic on reducing LDL cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate; the predominant effect size was moderate. The evidence is drawn from meta-analyses and systematic reviews, primarily in clinical populations with metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, or hypertension. The median study duration was 56 days, suggesting effects typically observed at 8 weeks.6 beneficial6 studies
- HighArtichokeAcross 5 studies, all reported beneficial effects of artichoke on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The most robust evidence comes from a meta-analysis showing a moderate reduction in LDL-C (WMD: -14.9 mg/dL). Effects were typically observed at 6–8 weeks (median study duration 51 days), and the most common studied population included people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). · Dose: 600 mg daily5 beneficial5 studies
- ModerateL-CarnitineAcross 7 studies, 4 reported beneficial small-sized effects of L-carnitine supplementation on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, while 3 found no significant effect. The most commonly studied dose was 1 g/day, and effects were typically observed in clinical populations (type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, hemodialysis) over a median duration of 77 days (≈11 weeks). The overall evidence suggests a modest LDL-lowering benefit, but the effect is small and not consistently observed across all subgroups. · Dose: 1 g/day (1000 mg/day)4 beneficial3 neutral7 studies
- ModerateflaxseedAcross 6 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of flaxseed supplementation on reducing LDL cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The median study duration was 70 days, suggesting benefits may emerge after 8-12 weeks of use. Doses around 28 g/day showed beneficial effects, and evidence was strongest in clinical populations such as postmenopausal women and patients with dyslipidemia. · Dose: 28 g/day or ≥30 g/day for at least 12 weeks4 beneficial2 neutral6 studies
- Moderatered yeast riceAcross 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects of red yeast rice on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with predominantly moderate effect sizes. All 4 studies found statistically significant reductions. The most common population was people with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia or hyperlipidemia, and the median study duration was 56 days, indicating effects are typically observed at 8 weeks.4 beneficial4 studies
- Moderategreen teaAcross 4 studies, all reported statistically significant beneficial effects on reducing LDL cholesterol, with predominantly moderate effect sizes. The evidence is drawn from systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering diverse clinical populations (e.g., MASLD, overweight/obesity, dyslipidaemia). Effects were typically observed over 90 days in the one study reporting duration.4 beneficial4 studies
- ModerateBlack CuminAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The highest-quality evidence comes from two meta-analyses (total n > 7,000) showing moderate-to-large reductions, while one meta-analysis in type 2 diabetes patients found no significant effect. Doses reported in one study ranged from 200 to 4600 mg/day, but most studies did not specify form or duration (median 7 days from one study).3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- ModerateThistleAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of thistle (silymarin/silibinin) on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with 3 reaching statistical significance. The predominant effect size was small, as shown in the highest-quality meta-analysis (SMD: -0.25). Effects were observed primarily in clinical populations with metabolic or liver conditions, with median study duration of 168 days (24 weeks) in the one study reporting duration.3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- ModerateCinnamonAcross all 3 studies, cinnamon supplementation showed statistically significant beneficial effects on reducing LDL levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (two small, one large). The median study duration was 84 days, indicating effects typically observed at 12 weeks. The most studied populations include patients with type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and PCOS; only one study specified a dose of 600 mg/day.3 beneficial3 studies
- ModerateHibiscusAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial small-sized effects on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The evidence includes two meta-analyses covering clinical populations (e.g., metabolic syndrome), with effects observed at a median duration of 28 days. No specific dose range was identified.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowGymnemaAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Gymnema sylvestre on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The most-studied dose was 300 mg twice daily (600 mg/day), and effects were typically observed at 12 weeks. Evidence is derived from clinical populations, including patients with metabolic syndrome and impaired glucose tolerance. · Dose: 300 mg twice daily (600 mg/day)3 beneficial3 studies
- Lowrice branAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (one small, one large) on LDL reduction, while a meta-analysis found no significant effect. Effects were observed at a median study duration of 42 days (6 weeks). The most-studied populations were healthy adults with low dietary fiber intake and men with coronary artery disease.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowTurmericAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate, while 1 study found no significant difference. The most consistent evidence comes from a meta-analysis of 63 RCTs in people with type 2 diabetes or hyperglycemia showing a small but significant reduction (mean difference -5.95 mg/dL). The median study duration was 90 days (from one study), and the evidence primarily covers clinical populations with metabolic conditions. Overall, the evidence suggests a beneficial effect, but the magnitude varies and the data are limited.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowResveratrolAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects on LDL reduction (moderate effect in adults with MASLD, small effect in adults with T2DM), while one meta-analysis found no significant effect on LDL. Evidence is preliminary and mixed. The beneficial effects were observed in clinical populations with metabolic conditions, but doses were not consistently reported.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowVitamin DAcross 4 studies, 1 reported a small beneficial effect of vitamin D on reducing LDL levels, while 3 found no significant effect. The beneficial finding was observed in a systematic review of pediatric patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), whereas neutral results were seen in adults with type 2 diabetes, healthy adults, and women with PCOS. The overall evidence is mixed, with a small effect size in the single positive study, but no consistent benefit across populations.1 beneficial3 neutral4 studies
- LowBlack TeaAcross 3 studies, 1 reported a moderate beneficial effect on LDL reduction, while 2 reported neutral effects. The beneficial finding came from a meta-analysis of 821 participants (MD -0.64 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.77 to -0.52), but two subsequent meta-analyses and RCTs found no significant effect, with small effect sizes and wide confidence intervals. The median study duration was 90 days, but evidence is limited and inconsistent.1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies