Cholesterol Supplements: What Works? Ginseng

Below, we break down what the research does—and doesn’t—say about the benefits of the most popular supplements for lowering cholesterol.

Ginseng

What it is: An herb native to Asia that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

The evidence: Several studies have found a beneficial effect from ginseng on one or more cholesterol components, but most of the studies were small, only a few were randomized, and none were blinded or placebo-controlled. One study that found a drop in LDL levels of 45% and a rise in HDL of 44% (!) wasn’t controlled, included only eight participants, and was funded by a Korean manufacturer of ginseng products.

The bottom line: Though the research can’t be ignored entirely, there isn’t enough to evidence to support the use of ginseng to lower cholesterol.

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