It’s in the news almost daily. It’s a regular subject of medical research. People ask their doctors what to do about it. “It” is high cholesterol, a significant risk factor for death from cardiovascular disease (CVD), the number-one killer in the United States.

While the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs used today, they can have adverse side effects, including elevated liver enzymes and muscle discomfort. Scarsdale resident Dr. Robert G. Silverman, DC, a certified nutrition specialist and certified clinical nutritionist, says there are plenty of safe, natural ways to help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and/or raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

“Literature shows that a number of nutritional supplements have produced more advantageous changes in cholesterol profiles than statins, with more tolerability and safety,” Silverman says.

The following supplements are among those Silverman often recommends to his patients:

Policosanol: Reduces total cholesterol, LDL and lipoprotein and increases HDL.

Fish Oil: Reduces inflammation in the arteries and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides.

Niacin: In non-flush form, reduces overall cholesterol while increasing HDL.

Red Yeast Rice Extract: Reduces cholesterol and increases HDL.

Guggulipid: Reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL.

Garlic: Reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL.

Multivitamin/Multimineral Complex: With proper antioxidant formula, prevents cholesterol oxidation.

Magnesium: More reliable than statins at improving cholesterol without the adverse effects.

Green Tea: Taken daily, decreases LDL.

L-Carnitine: Decreases triglycerides by facilitating fatty acid oxidation.

Co-Enzyme Q10: Should be taken as a supplement by statin users for proper heart function.

Milk Thistle: Counteracts increased liver enzymes attributed to statin use.

Dr. Silverman can be reached at 914.287.6464 or [email protected]. For more info, visit DrRobertSilverman.com.