• Niacin, known as Vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, lowers total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol yet raises the level of HDL (good) cholesterol. It has long been used in Europe for lowering cholesterol and improving blood circulation.

• What makes green tea so special? The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, powerful anti-oxidants that are effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the formation of blood clots.

• Garlic, known to help reduce cholesterol as well as defend against bacterial and fungal infections, contains 40 organic compounds and includes over 100 bioavailable chemicals. Clinical research has shown that garlic can lower blood levels of total cholesterol and specifically LDL (bad) cholesterol.
     There are over a dozen well designed studies that confirm that garlic in several forms can reduce cholesterol. Researchers in Britain, Germany and America have concluded that garlic is an effective lipid lowering agent and plays an important part in the treatment of high cholesterol.

• Beta-sitosterol, a plant oil found in all vegetable matter, can decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive system and decrease the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. A noted medical authority has said, "If there was only one supplement you could take to normalize your cholesterol it should be beta-sitosterol. It is the most studied, most proven, most effective single way I've found to lower total and LDL cholesterol."

• Pantothenic Acid reduces levels of LDL and total cholesterol, raises HDL, and is most effective for lowering triglyceride levels. Pantothenic Acid works by improving fat metabolism and by slowing down production of cholesterol in the liver.

• Thiamin, or Vitamin B1, is one of the substances the body must have in order to convert carbohydrates into energy. Thiamin helps the body make thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), without which the body is unable to convert food into energy. Thiamin also keeps the heart muscles healthy so that it beats regularly, and is critical to the maintenance of a well-functioning brain and nervous system.

Supplement Facts

• Foods that are high in saturated fats, even if the fats themselves do not contain cholesterol (including foods with high levels of hydrogenated vegetable oils, like palm and coconut oils and avocados) can contribute to elevating cholesterol levels. Foods containing high levels of cholesterol themselves, like eggs and red meat, as well as seafoods like shrimp, can also raise cholesterol levels.

• Blood levels of cholesterol tend to increase as we age--a factor doctors consider when deciding treatment options for patients with high cholesterol levels. There are over a dozen well designed studies that confirm that garlic in several forms can reduce cholesterol.

• Some people are genetically predisposed to having high levels of cholesterol, and this tendency is often passed on from parents to their children.

• Overweight people are more likely to have high blood cholesterol levels and they also tend to have lower HDL (good) levels. The location of the excess weight also seems to play a role, with a greater risk when extra weight is centered in the abdominal region (as opposed to the legs or buttocks).

• Men tend to have higher LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower HDL (good) levels than women, especially before age 50. After 50, when women are in their postmenopausal years, decreasing amounts of estrogen are thought to cause the LDL level to rise.

• Diseases such as diabetes can lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels, while increasing triglycerides and accelerating the development of atherosclerosis. High blood pressure, and even some medications used to treat it, can also increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.

• High levels of emotional stress and physical stress (like cigarette smoking) can also help raise total cholesterol levels. On the other hand, regular vigorous exercise can help increase HDL (good) levels and decrease LDL (bad) levels.