High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. While supplements are not a substitute for medication, certain supplements may help lower cholesterol levels in addition to dietary changes and exercise. Here are some supplements that may help lower cholesterol levels:

• Fiber: Fiber is a great cholesterol-buster and part of a healthy diet. Fiber also helps lower triglycerides and total cholesterol, especially for people with type 2 diabetes. Psyllium is a type of fiber supplement that can help lower cholesterol levels.

• Soy protein: Soy can lower total and LDL cholesterol levels a little. Eating soy protein instead of animal protein (like meat and full-fat dairy) will also help.

• Garlic: Garlic supplements slightly lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels in a few small studies. However, the evidence doesn’t seem to support garlic as an effective way to lower cholesterol.

• Niacin: Niacin is a B vitamin that can boost HDL “good" cholesterol and lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. However, only prescription-level doses impact cholesterol and triglycerides, and prescription-strength doses have side effects, which is one reason it should be taken under a doctors supervision.

• Red yeast rice: Red yeast rice is white rice that has been fermented with yeast. Some red yeast rice supplements have been shown to lower cholesterol because they contain monacolin K, which has the same chemical makeup as lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine. However, you won’t find monacolin K in the red yeast rice sold in America because the FDA considers it a drug, not a supplement. You can still find red yeast rice supplements, but they don’t always contain the same amount of monacolin K.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil, flaxseed, and flaxseed oil. They can help lower triglycerides and may also help lower LDL cholesterol levels. However, it’s important to ask your doctor if these supplements are right for you, especially if you’re taking blood-thinning medication.

It’s important to note that a 2022 study found that taking supplements for four weeks to treat "bad" LDL cholesterol was ineffective compared with taking a statin drug. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a doctor before taking any supplements to lower cholesterol levels.