A study published in Journal of Scientific Research has found that taking vitamin D supplements can lower total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL or bad) cholesterol.
G. S. Gaur of JIPMER in Pondicherry, India and A. K. Dixit of Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur, India conducted the study and found taking 500 mg of vitamin C tablets once a day for 30 days lowered both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
For the study, 60 healthy men and women were selected randomly and divided into two groups, one group of 30 individuals receiving 500 mg vitamin C tablets twice a day for 30 days while another group receiving 500 mg glucose once per day for 30 days.
Fasting blood samples were collected in the morning and tested to estimate cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol at baseline and at 30 days or the end of the study.
The researchers found vitamin C supplementation reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol significantly, but did not significantly change HDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Additionally, the cholesterol-lowering effect was the same in men and women.
Statins are commonly used to effectively lower cholesterol. However, experts believe that statins should be only used by people who have a history of heart disease and those who are at high risk for heart disease.
In addition to vitamin C, those who would try natural remedies to lower cholesterol may want to try red yeast rice, which has been found to be equally effective in lowering cholesterol.
