4. Coriander
Coriander is the seed form of the cilantro plant. This wonderful aromatic seasoning helps lower LDL levels while increasing HDL levels to help stabilize your cholesterol ratio (14). It can be utilized in both whole or powder form, and it a popular ingredient in curries and salsas.
Recommended dosage: Incorporate coriander into your cooking. You can also make a simple coriander tea by boiling and simmering whole coriander seeds and cilantro leaves in water.
5. Red Yeast Rice
A popular Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is made by fermenting a specific type of yeast over red rice. Red yeast rice contains a chemical that has similar effects to statin medications, lowering LDL cholesterol levels. It actually contains natural lovastatin, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Mevacor (15).
Recommended dosage: 600mg of red yeast rice in tablet or capsule form 2-4 times daily. Red yeast rice is not recommended for anyone under 20 years of age, anyone with liver or kidney problems, or pregnant/breastfeeding women (16).
6. Onion
Onions – and red onions in particular – contain a flavonoid called quercetin. Quercetin is proven to help balance cholesterol levels (17).
Recommended dosage: For best results, consume raw onion in your daily diet. Onion juice (in the form of a tonic with honey) and/or quercetin supplements are also viable options.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is like the Swiss Army Knife of holistic medicinal remedies – it has so many benefits that even if you don’t have high cholesterol, you should incorporate it into your diet anyway (unless you’re on these medications ).
ACV is proven to lower both LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure in animal trials by fighting oxidative stress and lipid oxidation (18).