
Statins are effective in reducing high cholesterol levels; however, due to associated side effects, many patients actively seek alternative medications. This review evaluates the efficacy, side effects, patient adherence, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of dietary supplements (DS) as a treatment option for hypercholesterolemia.This narrative review compares red yeast rice (RYR), flaxseed, artichokes, bergamot, Ayurvedic mixtures (with garlic as a prominent ingredient), and statins for treating hypercholesterolemia. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for studies published between 2012 and 2024 using "hypercholesterolemia" in combination with a dietary supplement (red yeast rice, flaxseed, artichokes, garlic, or bergamot). The selected articles were published until 28th January 2024 with no language restrictions.Study results suggest that alternative treatments using dietary supplements such as flaxseed, bergamot, or red yeast rice may effectively reduce cholesterol levels, with the specific value varying based on the study.The following natural ingredients - red yeast rice, artichoke extract, bergamot, garlic, and flaxseed - have been specifically selected for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Based on consistent usage, except for aged garlic extract, these ingredients appear to have a beneficial impact on cholesterol levels. (1) It is advisable to conduct a comprehensive cohort study to assess the efficacy of relevant dietary supplements, particularly red yeast rice, bergamot, and flaxseed, in treating hypercholesterolemia. This is important due to the varying effectiveness of alternative treatments. However, there are lingering concerns regarding the lack of supervision and quality control that require attention. (2) Further research into the specific molecular composition and the underlying mechanisms by which it reduces cholesterol levels is warranted.
11035 Institute of General Practice, RC620-627, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Hypercholesterolemia, 610 Medicine & health, Review, LDL, Cynara scolymus, Flax, 2307 Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Humans, Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases, Garlic, 1106 Food Science, Assessment of Medication Adherence, Biological Products, Statins [Supplementary Concept], Plant Extracts, 2739 Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Dietary supplements, Medicine, Ayurvedic, Treatment Outcome, Red yeast rice, Dietary Supplements, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Medication Adherence/statistics ; Cost-Benefit Analysis [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia/diet therapy [MeSH] ; Statins [Supplementary Concept] ; Dietary Supplements/economics [MeSH] ; LDL ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/economics [MeSH] ; Medicine, Ayurvedic [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia/drug therapy [MeSH] ; Plant Extracts/economics [MeSH] ; Red yeast rice ; Biological Products/economics [MeSH] ; Dietary supplements ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use [MeSH] ; Garlic/chemistry [MeSH] ; Dietary Supplements/adverse effects [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Treatment Outcome [MeSH] ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia/economics [MeSH] ; Flax [MeSH] ; Cynara scolymus [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Biological Products/administration ; Biological Products/adverse effects [MeSH] ; Review
11035 Institute of General Practice, RC620-627, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Hypercholesterolemia, 610 Medicine & health, Review, LDL, Cynara scolymus, Flax, 2307 Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Humans, Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases, Garlic, 1106 Food Science, Assessment of Medication Adherence, Biological Products, Statins [Supplementary Concept], Plant Extracts, 2739 Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Dietary supplements, Medicine, Ayurvedic, Treatment Outcome, Red yeast rice, Dietary Supplements, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Medication Adherence/statistics ; Cost-Benefit Analysis [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia/diet therapy [MeSH] ; Statins [Supplementary Concept] ; Dietary Supplements/economics [MeSH] ; LDL ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/economics [MeSH] ; Medicine, Ayurvedic [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia/drug therapy [MeSH] ; Plant Extracts/economics [MeSH] ; Red yeast rice ; Biological Products/economics [MeSH] ; Dietary supplements ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use [MeSH] ; Garlic/chemistry [MeSH] ; Dietary Supplements/adverse effects [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Treatment Outcome [MeSH] ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia/economics [MeSH] ; Flax [MeSH] ; Cynara scolymus [MeSH] ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Biological Products/administration ; Biological Products/adverse effects [MeSH] ; Review
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 5 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
