The True Impact of ‘Cardio-friendly’ Supplements on Cholesterol Levels: A Comprehensive Analysis
Key Takeaways:
- Several popular supplements such as fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice show no significant effect on lowering LDL cholesterol or improving overall heart health.
- Some dietary supplements like garlic and plant sterols have shown to potentially worsen health, increasing LDL cholesterol and reducing HDL cholesterol respectively.
- Small doses of statins, particularly rosuvastatin, are proven to be significantly beneficial for cholesterol reduction, with no reported side effects in the study.
- The $50 billion supplement industry in the United States does not provide the expected benefits in heart health or cholesterol reduction for the majority of consumers.
- Supplement manufacturers argue that dietary supplements are an adjunct to a healthy lifestyle and should not be compared to prescription medications. They are not replacements for medically necessary treatments or medications.
According to a recent clinical investigation, it seems that individuals consuming dietary supplements to aid their cardiovascular health might be fruitlessly spending their money. The experiment revealed that several supplements, widely regarded as beneficial to heart health, failed to exhibit any significant advantages.
Which Supplements Are Proven Ineffectual?
These seemingly ineffective supplements include fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice. The research showed these supplements had no significant impact in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often labeled as ‘bad cholesterol’ or in enhancing overall heart health.
Do Any of These Supplements Harm Instead of Help?
Surprisingly, a couple of these supplements seemed to deteriorate health conditions, as per the findings demonstrated by Dr. Luke Laffin, co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic. According to him, garlic supplements contributed to nearly an 8% increase in LDL cholesterol. Similarly, plant sterols led to over 7% decline in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often indicated as ‘good cholesterol’.
What are the Most Effective Methods for Controlling Cholesterol?
The study also concluded that statins, specifically a small dosage of rosuvastatin, were remarkably beneficial for cholesterol reduction. On average, LDL cholesterol experienced a decline of nearly 38%, and all participants noted a minimum of 18.2% reduction in LDL cholesterol. Interestingly, all the test subjects responded positively to the treatment, and no one reported any of the side effects commonly associated with it.
The Deception of Dietary Supplements
Contrary to popular belief, the supplement industry, worth nearly $50 billion in the United States, seems to do more harm than good, with about one in every five users consuming these substances to improve heart health or decrease cholesterol levels.
Conducted on around 200 participants aged 40 to 75, the study failed to find any noticeable benefits from the use of supplements. Statin administration, on the other hand, led to an average drop of 24% in total cholesterol and a 19% decrease in triglycerides. The regulation of dietary supplements is weak in the United States, posing a risk of dangerous interactions with prescribed medications.
Expert Opinions on The Findings
However, representatives of supplement makers disagreed with the results, arguing the comparison of prescription drugs and dietary supplements for such a complex condition like high cholesterol is flawed in a short-term study.
According to Andrea Wong, senior vice president of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at the council in a statement, supplements are supplementary to a healthy lifestyle and can aid in maintaining health, but they are not replacements for necessary medical treatments or medications.
Tosupport the effectiveness of prescribed medications over supplements, Dr. Janani Rangaswami, director of the cardiorenal program at George Washington University, noted the new study provides proof that can guide patients in understanding the real worth of statins versus supplements.
The Need For Educated Choices
Nevertheless, Dr. Luke Laffin expressed skepticism that the findings would alter decision-making among individuals dedicated to taking supplements. However, it’s crucial for the majority to be educated about the actual effects of these supplements, especially older individuals being advised to take cholesterol medicines by their primary healthcare providers.
Looking for More Details?
For more information on heart health supplements, visit Johns Hopkins’s article on heart health supplements.
