The 5 Best Supplements for Cholesterol & Heart Health

Written By: Autumn Enloe, MS, RD, LD, CLT

With February being National Heart Month, many people are searching for the best heart-healthy foods and supplements.

Although there’s not one specific food or supplement that will cure our health problems, incorporating a nutrient-dense diet and high-quality supplements on a daily basis can help improve our health.

The biggest factor for heart health is to eat well and to exercise regularly. In particular, the heavily-researched Mediterranean Diet is associated with better cardiovascular health outcomes (1,2).

Incorporating high-quality supplements alongside a healthy diet can be a great addition 

So what supplements are best for our heart? 

This article will talk about the top five best supplements for a healthy heart, as well as things to keep in mind when it comes to supplements. 

The 5 Best Supplements for a Healthy Heart:

1. Citrus Bergamot:

Citrus bergamot is an Italian citrus fruit that contains antioxidants and can help protect the body against free radicals. It’s commonly used as a flavoring in Earl Grey Tea. 

Studies have found it helps support healthy cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and LDL levels. It also may help to support heart-healthy HDL levels (3,4).

We include a patented form of Citrus Bergamot in our Berbercol formula.

→ Shop Utzy Naturals' Berbercol

2. Berberine:

Berberine is a compound that is extracted from several different plants; including Goldenseal, as well as a plant called Berberis. It has a long history of usage in Chinese medicine, and numerous studies have found benefits of Berberine for heart health. 

For example, one study found Berberine to help upregulate the LDL receptor cell sites in the liver. This helps the body break down excess cholesterol and excrete it. It’s also been found to have a positive impact on supporting healthy triglyceride levels as well as in weight management (5,6).

We include Berberine in our Berbercol formula.

→ Shop Utzy Naturals' Berbercol

3. Monacolin K

Monacolin K is an active compound naturally found in red yeast rice. It has also been used in Chinese medicine for many years, due to its cholesterol supporting effects. Monacolin K is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the widely used cholesterol-lowering medication called lovastatin (7).

Studies have found it to help support LDL cholesterol levels as well as C-reactive protein levels; a marker of inflammation in the body (8).

One thing to note is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that it is illegal to sell red yeast rice that contains more than trace amounts Monacolin K.

This is due to the fact that it can cause the same types of side effects and drug interactions as statin drugs. There are also concerns regarding contamination.

4. CoQ10:

CoQ10 is a popular supplement used for energy, also has a positive impact on our heart health. CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is an antioxidant nutrient naturally found in our body. It helps generate energy in the body and supports mitochondrial function. Although our bodies produce it naturally, our levels of CoQ10 decline with age (9).

Research has found that statin drugs can decrease the level of CoQ10 in our bodies, so supplementation may be beneficial for anyone taking a statin drug (10).

Additionally, studies have found CoQ10 to be beneficial for those looking to support a healthy heart and may also help support normal blood pressure levels (11,12).

→ Shop Utzy Naturals' CoQ-10 Formulas 

5. Fish Oil:

Fish oil is one of the most commonly consumed supplements, and for good reason. It’s rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are beneficial for our heart. When looking for a Fish Oil supplement, make sure it contains both EPA and DHA Fatty Acids. 

Studies have found that Omega-3 Fatty Acids are beneficial for supporting overall heart health and function  (13,14,15). 

In addition, our brain is made up of 60% fat, and incorporating Omega-3 Fatty Acids have been shown to support a positive mood, which can also support heart health (16,17).

→ Shop Utzy Naturals' Omega-3 Formulas 

Things to Keep in Mind:

When it comes to adding any new supplements to your routine, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider first to prevent any interaction among other supplements or medications. 

In addition, quality is especially important when it comes to supplements since taking poor quality supplements can be harmful to our health.

For example, studies have found polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in some fish oil brands, proving that it’s critical to know where your supplements are coming from (18).

Utzy Natural's Fish Oilis screened and tested for over 250 different micro-contaminates, such as mercury and cadmium. We only use the best, cleanest Omega-3's in our product.

Lastly, supplements are not meant to replace a healthy diet, but are meant to support it. Focusing on your health as a whole is key for heart health.

This includes eating plenty of nutrients and color, moving your body daily, getting enough sleep, managing stress, as well as taking high-quality supplements. 

Conclusion:

Along with incorporating a healthy diet of plenty of vegetables, fruit, high-quality proteins and healthy fats, supplements such as the ones described above can provide great benefit for heart health. 

Do you take any of these five supplements we discussed? Let us know in the comments below! 

Autumn Enloe is a registered dietitian in Minnesota. She has a private practice where she focuses on helping women take care of themselves through proper nutrition, supplement and lifestyle adjustments. She provides remote nutrition coaching and frequently posts free nutrition content and recipes at her website:www.autumnenloe.com. In her free time she enjoys chasing around her toddler, laughing with her husband, creating recipes in the kitchen, and practicing yoga.