Buying cholesterol pills? Pay attention to these 9 active ingredients.

By cholesterol pills, I mean medications that help keep your cholesterol in balance. These can be synthetic medications, such as statins, or natural supplements.

In this article, I'll focus on natural alternatives . They're not a replacement for medication, but they can be a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle, especially if you work with your doctor to find ways to keep your cholesterol levels in check.

Many people choose this natural support because statins sometimes cause side effects, such as muscle pain, fatigue or digestive problems.

Curious about the natural ingredients often found in cholesterol pills, without statins? I'll tell you about the 9 most commonly used active ingredients.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body partly obtains from food, but mainly produces itself in the liver.

Despite its bad reputation, cholesterol is essential. In the right amounts, it supports important processes in your body, such as:

1. Cell structure - As part of the cell wall, it has an important function in keeping cells functioning properly
2. Transport of fat-soluble vitamins - Such as vitamins D, E, K and A
3. Hormone production - Including your sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen) and cortisol
4. Bile Production - What is needed for the digestion of fats ak of bile
5. Protection of nerve cells - Cholesterol is an important component of myelin, a substance that protects nerve cells

Cholesterol is carried in your blood by lipoproteins. These are small particles composed of fats (lipids) and proteins that act as transport vehicles to move cholesterol throughout your body.

There are two main forms:

• LDL cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – Transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues. Excess LDL can build up in the artery walls, forming plaque that narrows the blood vessels. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• HDL cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein) – Removes excess cholesterol from tissues and blood vessel walls and returns it to the liver. There, it is broken down and excreted. HDL thus helps keep blood vessels clean.

In addition to LDL and HDL, triglycerides (another form of fat in the blood) also play a role in cardiovascular health.

Remember: A healthy balance of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides is essential for your health. Generally, lower LDL and triglyceride levels and higher HDL are considered beneficial.

Now that you know what cholesterol is and how LDL, HDL, and triglycerides work together in your blood, it's easier to understand why some substances are used in supplement form.

Certain plant extracts, nutrients and fibres, in the right dosage and together with a healthy lifestyle, can contribute to maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

These natural options are often chosen by people who want to provide additional support to their cholesterol, especially if they are sensitive to the side effects of statins or want to work preventively on their cardiovascular health:

1. Garlic – Used for centuries in both cooking and supplements. Studies have shown a positive effect primarily with daily doses of 600–1200 mg of dried garlic powder or 2–5 mg of allicin.
2. Red yeast rice – Naturally contains monacolin K, a substance identical to lovastatin, the well-known cholesterol-lowering drug. Doses around 10 mg per day have been effective in studies, but in the EU, supplements are limited to a maximum of 3 mg due to potential side effects.
3. Berberine – A plant-based substance found in the bark, roots, and stems of the barberry plant. It is widely studied for its potential effects on lipid metabolism and blood sugar.
4. Bergamot – A citrus fruit ( Citrus bergamia ) with polyphenols. Studies are examining its effect on fat metabolism, but no firm conclusions have been reached yet.
5. Coenzyme Q10 – Plays a role in your cells' energy production. It doesn't directly affect cholesterol itself, but it's often added to supplements containing red yeast rice or garlic for support.
6. Plant sterols and stanols – At 1.5 to 3 grams per day as part of a healthy diet, they can lower cholesterol.
7. Fiber – Soluble fiber, such as beta-glucans from oats or barley, can lower cholesterol. This effect is achieved with 3 grams of beta-glucans per day.
8. Chitosan – Comes from the shells of crustaceans and can contribute to the maintenance of normal cholesterol levels at 3 grams per day.
9. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) – A plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that, at 2 grams per day, can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Even though these ingredients come from nature, they are not suitable for everyone.

Before you start taking cholesterol pills without statins, it is important to pay attention to the following points:

1. Red yeast rice – Don't use this with statins, as it has the same effect and can therefore be too strong. Stick to the recommended dosage, as high doses can cause muscle pain or stomach upset. (1)
2. Berberine – May slow the rate at which some medications are broken down in your liver. This can cause more of the medication to remain in your bloodstream. This includes blood thinners, certain statins, antidepressants, beta blockers, and medications that suppress your immune system. Therefore, always consult your doctor before using berberine. (2)
3. Chitosan – Made from shellfish and therefore not suitable for people with a shellfish allergy.
4. Plant sterols – Only effective in the right amount (1.5 to 3 grams per day). Taking more has no additional effect and may reduce the absorption of certain vitamins. (3)

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you are taking medication, are pregnant or have a chronic condition.