Supplements To Lower Cholesterol: A Guide for Black Women Seeking Heart Health
Did you know supplements may help support your overall cardiovascular health and function? That’s good news because Black Americans have higher risks of heart disease than other groups.
Maintaining healthy levels of LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can reduce your risk of certain health complications. Let’s look at some of the potential options for maintaining normal levels of blood cholesterol.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol gets a bad rap, but it’s not all bad — it’s a lipid and an essential part of your body’s cells.
To break it down, there are two main types of cholesterol you need to manage for your heart health: LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is what you’ll hear referred to as “bad cholesterol.” This is what may build up in your arteries. Resulting blockages can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is often called “good cholesterol.” This type moves excess LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream to your liver, preventing buildup that can lead to plaque formation and narrowed arteries.
Once there, your liver processes the cholesterol and removes it from your body.
High cholesterol, specifically high levels of LDL, is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. Black women tend to have higher levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat found in your blood), elevating risks of heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems.
Monitoring your cholesterol levels and making lifestyle changes before you have bigger health problems can help maintain your heart health and prevent serious conditions.
What Are Black Women’s Risk Factors for High Cholesterol?
Black women have more vulnerability to high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease for several reasons. While genetics can play a role, your diet and lifestyle choices also make a big impact.
You can think of the risk factors you can influence as falling into three groups:
Diet
Certain foods, such as those high in trans fats, refined carbohydrates, refined sugars, and processed foods, can lead to elevated cholesterol levels and unhealthy triglyceride levels.
Physical Activity
General physical inactivity and a lack of regular exercise can contribute to developing high cholesterol levels.
Metabolic Factors
Some conditions that are more common in Black women, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, are metabolic factors that can worsen cholesterol issues.
When you address your risk factors for high cholesterol by making lifestyle changes, you can take control of your cholesterol and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Simple changes, like increasing your physical activity and eating a healthy diet with fiber-rich foods and whole grains, can make a big difference to your health.
Can Supplements Help Support Balanced Cholesterol?
Some supplements have shown great promise in maintaining normal levels of LDL cholesterol and supporting heart health in general. They might work by supporting various aspects of cholesterol metabolism.
Let’s review the top science-backed supplements you can explore with your doctor.
Psyllium
Studies show soluble fiber supplements, such as psyllium, may bind with cholesterol in your gut and prevent it from being absorbed into your bloodstream.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows companies to label psyllium as a beneficial dietary supplement that can help support balanced levels of LDL cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet.
Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, are known for helping to support balanced levels of triglycerides and overall cardiovascular health. According to studies, regular fish oil use may support normal total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, contributing to a healthy cardiovascular system.
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice products are a popular supplement that contains monacolin K and has similar effects to statins such as lovastatin. Studies indicate that red yeast rice may help support LDL cholesterol levels that are already within a normal range.
Garlic Supplements
Garlic is known for its heart health benefits, and studies suggest it may help support normal levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
One meta-analysis indicated that a difference may be noticed over a period of one to three months by using dried garlic, supplements, or fresh garlic.
Niacin
A B vitamin also known as nicotinic acid, niacin may help support normal cholesterol levels if you’re not on common cholesterol medications. If you’re one of the many Black women with a niacin deficiency, this may be a good option for you.
Remember to talk with your doctor before adding new supplements to your daily routine. Some supplements can cause uncomfortable or dangerous side effects. And, if you take common cholesterol-lowering medications, some supplements may not offer any additional benefits.
Taking Care of Your Heart for a Long and Healthy Life
As a Black woman, you’re likely to face challenges in maintaining your heart health. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is an important strategy to reduce your health risks. Incorporating preventative measures such as regular physical activity and a diet rich in fiber, whole grains, and healthy fats are natural methods to protect your heart.
Combining lifestyle changes with our Choless Control supplement can create a strong foundation for your heart’s well-being.
If you have pre-existing risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, you should take a proactive approach and talk with your doctor. Prescription medications, such as statins, are often used to lower LDL cholesterol and may be a part of your doctor-recommended treatment.
It’s always important to keep your doctor in the loop before starting new supplements to make sure they will be safe and effective for you. Staying informed about your health status, making healthy choices, and taking supplements designed for you can help protect your heart for the long and healthy life you deserve.
Sources:
Heart Disease and African Americans | Office of Minority Health
Black People, Heart Disease and Stroke | American Heart Association
FDA To Allow Health Claim for Food Containing Psyllium | The Washington Post
Red Yeast Rice for the Improvement of Lipids Profiles | National Library of Medicine
Garlic as a Lipid Lowering Agent – a Meta-Analysis | nih.gov