Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Nov 19;43(1):189. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00679-0.
Statins are effective in reducing high cholesterol levels; however, due to associated side effects, many patients actively seek alternative medications. This review evaluates the efficacy, side effects, patient adherence, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of dietary supplements (DS) as a treatment option for hypercholesterolemia.
This narrative review compares red yeast rice (RYR), flaxseed, artichokes, bergamot, Ayurvedic mixtures (with garlic as a prominent ingredient), and statins for treating hypercholesterolemia. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for studies published between 2012 and 2024 using "hypercholesterolemia" in combination with a dietary supplement (red yeast rice, flaxseed, artichokes, garlic, or bergamot). The selected articles were published until 28th January 2024 with no language restrictions.
Study results suggest that alternative treatments using dietary supplements such as flaxseed, bergamot, or red yeast rice may effectively reduce cholesterol levels, with the specific value varying based on the study.
The following natural ingredients - red yeast rice, artichoke extract, bergamot, garlic, and flaxseed - have been specifically selected for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Based on consistent usage, except for aged garlic extract, these ingredients appear to have a beneficial impact on cholesterol levels. (1) It is advisable to conduct a comprehensive cohort study to assess the efficacy of relevant dietary supplements, particularly red yeast rice, bergamot, and flaxseed, in treating hypercholesterolemia. This is important due to the varying effectiveness of alternative treatments. However, there are lingering concerns regarding the lack of supervision and quality control that require attention. (2) Further research into the specific molecular composition and the underlying mechanisms by which it reduces cholesterol levels is warranted.
他汀类药物在降低高胆固醇水平方面非常有效；然而，由于相关的副作用，许多患者积极寻求替代药物。本综述评估了膳食补充剂（DS）作为高胆固醇血症治疗选择的疗效、副作用、患者依从性、成本效益和可及性。
本叙述性综述比较了红曲米（RYR）、亚麻籽、朝鲜蓟、佛手柑、阿育吠陀混合物（以大蒜为主要成分）和他汀类药物治疗高胆固醇血症。我们在 PubMed、Scopus 和 Cochrane 数据库中搜索了 2012 年至 2024 年期间发表的使用“高胆固醇血症”与膳食补充剂（红曲米、亚麻籽、朝鲜蓟、大蒜或佛手柑）相结合的研究。选择的文章发表时间截至 2024 年 1 月 28 日，无语言限制。
研究结果表明，使用膳食补充剂（如亚麻籽、佛手柑或红曲米）的替代治疗方法可能有效降低胆固醇水平，具体数值取决于研究。
以下天然成分 - 红曲米、朝鲜蓟提取物、佛手柑、大蒜和亚麻籽 - 已被特别选择用于降低胆固醇。基于一致的使用情况，除了 aged garlic extract 外，这些成分似乎对胆固醇水平有有益的影响。（1）有必要进行一项全面的队列研究，以评估相关膳食补充剂（特别是红曲米、佛手柑和亚麻籽）治疗高胆固醇血症的疗效。这一点很重要，因为替代治疗的有效性各不相同。然而，人们仍然担心缺乏监管和质量控制，需要引起关注。（2）有必要进一步研究其降低胆固醇水平的具体分子组成和潜在机制。
