High cholesterol - anyone find a supplement which works?

NIMAN · 04-09-2025 08:44PM #1

I appreciate that lifestyle change is as important too, but can anyone vouch for any of the plant sterol supplements that have actually worked for them?

Jim_Hodge · 04-09-2025 08:52PM

Mine dropped considerably within a few months of switching to Benecol Spread (Flora Proactive is the same) and Avonmore Heart Active milk. But a general lifestyle change is very important too.

Streifi · 29-09-2025 09:28PM

Important to take them ideally with the fatties/biggest meal.

No point taking it as a breakfast replacement or empty stomach!

With that they can work quite well.

Jim_Hodge · 29-09-2025 09:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123862528#Comment_123862528

Do you mean the statins? If so you're wrong.

Streifi · 29-09-2025 09:40PM

Nope, I meant the likes of benecol drinks / plant stanols/sterols. Many taking them without food and they are less effective.

https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/food-facts-plant-stanols-and-sterols.html

Statins can be taken any time https://www2.hse.ie/medicines/statins/how-and-when-to-take-statins/

Jim_Hodge · 29-09-2025 09:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123862588#Comment_123862588

Many stanols are in milk and spreads that you take whenever you usually take milk and spreads. The only advice with the benecol drinks is to take with a meal, any meal, rather than on their own.

midlander12 · 30-09-2025 08:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123862625#Comment_123862625

I used to take benecol (or I think it was something called danocol?) years ago but I didn't find it very effective. I can't remember if I took them with a meal or as a snack. My GP recently recommended psyllium husk which I'm also taking for constipation. It certainly works for the latter but I haven't had my cholesterol checked since I started taking it.

Grassy Knoll · 30-09-2025 08:45AM

To throw another supplement into the mix is red yeast (available in capsules), certainly these bring it down a bit. However, if you genetically disposed to high cholesterol the only way to zap it are statins. In my experience lifestyle changes will improve things on the margin, but there will not be a 'level shift' in the way that statins can provide. They are no biggie, just one before you go to bed.

Polar wizard adventure · 01-10-2025 01:15PM

Oatbran is very effective. Works complimentary to the Stanols and reduces cholesterol absorbtion from food and reabsorption of bile acids. It's also very beneficial for bowel health as it's digestion creates large amounts of short chain fatty acids which are vital to maintaining effective colon operation.

Polar wizard adventure · 01-10-2025 01:17PM

Also the aldi/lidl sterol drinks are less than half the price of benecol with same active ingredients.

jimf · 17-10-2025 07:40PM

lecithin available in different forms from most chemists and health shops

Manc-Red_ · 17-10-2025 07:54PM

Benecol with your dinner and in my case lowering alcohol intake considerably.

Hasbaralies · 17-10-2025 07:59PM

No need for any supplements, just stop eating red meat and dairy. The effects will be quick and measurable

High cholesterol - anyone find a supplement which works?

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