Buying the best cholesterol supplement? Pay attention to these 6 criteria.
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Leesduur: 7 min
I always find it fascinating how nature has answers to so many questions. Take cholesterol, for example. LDL cholesterol, which is produced in our liver, is particularly undesirable when it becomes unbalanced with HDL, the "good" cholesterol.
Fortunately, we find substances in nature that can support this balance, such as certain plant extracts and nutrients. These are therefore often used in supplements aimed at your cholesterol levels.
But not every supplement is created equal. The composition, dosage, and quality vary enormously. In this article, you'll discover the 6 most important criteria for choosing the best cholesterol supplement. This way, you'll know what to look for to find a safe and high-quality product.
Natural supplements containing red yeast rice, garlic extract, and vitamins can help balance cholesterol, provided safe dosages and high quality are chosen.
When purchasing, look for purity, standardized extracts, and a short ingredients list without unnecessary additives, so you know exactly what you're getting.
In addition to supplements, healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a varied diet, getting enough exercise, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation remain essential for naturally supporting cholesterol.
Table of contents
Pay attention to these 6 points when buying your cholesterol supplement 1. Source of Monacolin K (but not more than 3 mg) 2. Check if it contains garlic extract 3. Supporting vitamins 4. Check if you can use it 5. Ingredients in extract form 6. No unnecessary ingredients My top 3 cholesterol supplements 1. Cholesterol Premium - Natural Performance 2. Cholesterol Complex - Pure Mieke 3. Red Yeast Rice Complex - Mattisson How can you lower your cholesterol without medication?
Pay attention to these 6 points when buying your cholesterol supplement
Want to get the most out of your supplement? Then pay attention to the following points:
1. Source of Monacolin K (but not more than 3 mg)
Monacolin K, often derived from red yeast rice, is one of the most studied natural substances for maintaining normal cholesterol levels. (1) (2)
Only choose supplements that clearly state how much Monacoline K they contain, and make sure that this remains within the European standard of a maximum of 3 mg per daily dose .
Please note : Higher doses are not permitted and may also cause side effects similar to those of statins.
2. Check if it contains garlic extract
Garlic extract is more powerful than regular garlic from the kitchen because it is concentrated.
Preferably choose a supplement with standardized garlic extract . This means the amount of active ingredients, such as allicin, is the same in every dosage.
In studies, a beneficial effect has been seen primarily with a daily intake of 600 to 1200 mg of dried garlic powder or 2 to 5 mg of allicin. (3) (4) So you want your supplement to contain this dosage.
Good to know : There is often an odorless variant available in supplement form, which is more pleasant to use.
3. Supporting vitamins
Some vitamins play a supporting role in maintaining normal cholesterol levels or in processes related to it.
Think of vitamin B1 (thiamine), which contributes to normal heart function, or vitamin B3 (niacin), which is involved in energy metabolism.
These additions can make a supplement more complete.
4. Check if you are allowed to use it
Not every cholesterol supplement is suitable for everyone. Some ingredients should not be taken with medications such as statins or blood thinners.
Use is also often discouraged during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Therefore, always read the instructions for use and consult your doctor if you have any doubts or are taking medication.
5. Ingredients in extract form
Choose supplements with ingredients in extract form. An extract is concentrated , so you get more active ingredients in a smaller amount.
In addition, good extracts are standardized . This means that the exact concentration of the most important active ingredients is stated on the label, ensuring you receive the same amount every time.
This increases the quality, reliability, and predictability of the supplement. With loose powders or non-standardized forms, the amount of active ingredient can vary significantly, making the effect more difficult to control.
6. No unnecessary ingredients
A good cholesterol supplement has a short and clear ingredients list. The fewer additives, the better. Avoid products with unnecessary fillers, artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors.
How to recognize a pure, clean label supplement:
- Check the ingredients list – You should recognize all the names or be able to easily look them up.
- Look for “Clean Label” – This usually means free of artificial additives.
- Transparency – Manufacturers who prioritize purity will communicate this clearly. For example, look for independent lab tests, often listed on the label or website.
- Compare brands – If one product has five ingredients and another has fifteen, choose the shortest list (assuming the active ingredients are the same).
The purer the product, the smaller the chance of unnecessary strain on your body and the better you know what you are consuming.
My top 3 cholesterol supplements
Don't feel like comparing all the labels and formulas yourself? Understandable. That's why I've done the research for you.
These three cholesterol supplements meet all of the previously mentioned criteria and are therefore strong choices.
1. Cholesterol Premium - Natural Performance
This carefully composed formula contains high quality extracts in exactly the right dosages.
The benefits:
- Contains extracts of garlic and red yeast rice
- Safe, yet effective dosages: 60 mg garlic extract per capsule (equivalent to 1200 mg garlic) and 2.99 mg Monacoline K from red yeast rice
- Odorless garlic extract
- Additional support through Co-enzyme Q10, vitamin B1 and vitamin B3
- Clean Label production
2. Cholesterol Complex - Pure Mieke
You can also buy a good cholesterol supplement at Puur Mieke. A high-quality formula with powerful extracts and a wonderful composition.
The benefits:
- Contains standardized extracts of garlic and red yeast rice
- Safe, yet effective dosages: 165 mg garlic extract per serving (2 capsules) and 2.7 mg Monacoline K from red yeast rice
- Supportive plant extracts such as fenugreek, green tea, ginger and cinnamon
- Clean Label production
The disadvantages:
- No supporting vitamins
- The garlic extract is not odorless
3. Red Yeast Rice Complex - Mattisson
A clear and effective formula with high-quality ingredients and well-balanced dosages.
The benefits:
- Contains extracts of garlic and red yeast rice
- Safe dosages: 2.9 mg Monacoline K from red yeast rice and 10 mg garlic extract (2:1)
- With support from Co-enzyme Q10
- No artificial colours, fragrances or flavours
- Free from unnecessary fillers
The disadvantages:
- No supporting vitamins
- Garlic dosage is a bit on the low side
How can you lower your cholesterol without medication?
Supporting your cholesterol naturally is possible, but it requires a combination of healthy habits and consistency.
Natural options are not a substitute for medical treatment, but can be a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle when consulted with a doctor.
It starts with lifestyle changes:
- Eat a varied diet with lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and unsaturated fats, and limit saturated and trans fats. (5)
- Sufficient exercise (at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity per week) helps your body process fats better. (6)
- Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation are also important steps. (7)
In addition, certain nutrients can help maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. You can read more about this in my article on Lowering Cholesterol with Diet? Here's How to Do It. [1]
Good to know : Never replace prescribed medication on your own initiative and have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. This way, you'll know if the changes are effective and your doctor can assess whether additional support is needed.
Ebrina van der Bijl
Ebrina is a nutritionist with a deep commitment to healthy eating and a sustainable lifestyle, based in beautiful Portugal. Her passion for natural and organic products is at the heart of her work. With a background in Nutrition & Dietetics and experience in product development and writing, she translates complex scientific information into practical advice for a balanced lifestyle.
Sources used
- Gerards, MC, Terlou, RJ, Yu, H., Koks, C., & Gerdes, V. (2015). Traditional Chinese lipid-lowering agent red yeast rice results in significant LDL reduction but safety is uncertain – A systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis, 240(2), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.04.004
- Li, P., Wang, Q., Chen, K., Zou, S., Shu, S., Lu, C., Wang, S., Jiang, Y., Fan, C., & Luo, Y. (2022). Red Yeast Rice for Hyperlipidemia: A Meta-Analysis of 15 High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.819482
- Zeng, T., Guo, F., Zhang, C., Song, F., Zhao, X., & Xie, K. (2012). A meta‐analysis of randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials for the effects of garlic on serum lipid profiles. Journal Of The Science Of Food And Agriculture, 92(9), 1892–1902. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.5557
- Ried, K., Toben, C., & Fakler, P. (2013). Effect of garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews, 71(5), 282–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12012
- Schoeneck, M., & Iggman, D. (2021). The effects of foods on LDL cholesterol levels: A systematic review of the accumulated evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Nutrition Metabolism And Cardiovascular Diseases, 31(5), 1325–1338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2020.12.032
- Mann, S., Beedie, C., & Jimenez, A. (2013). Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations. Sports Medicine, 44(2), 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5
- Van Der Plas, A., Antunes, M., Pouly, S., De La Bourdonnaye, G., Hankins, M., & Heremans, A. (2023). Meta-analysis of the effects of smoking and smoking cessation on triglyceride levels. Toxicology Reports, 10, 367–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.03.001
Gerelateerd product
Cholesterol Premium
€24,95
