Dr. Grey AI

Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is an imbalance in blood lipids in the body including cholesterol and triglycerides. Poor diet, tobacco use, and genetic factors can all contribute to dyslipidemia.

Quick Answer

What it is

Dyslipidemia is an imbalance in blood lipids in the body including cholesterol and triglycerides. Poor diet, tobacco use, and genetic factors can all contribute to dyslipidemia.

Key findings

  • Grade B: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) (Spirulina)
  • Grade B: Apolipoprotein B (Beta-glucans)
  • Grade B: Adiponectin (Resveratrol)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts

Quick Facts: Dyslipidemia

  • Supplements Studied:38
  • Research Trials:50
  • Total Participants:62,509
  • Top Supplement:Beta-glucans (B)
50 trials
62,509 ppts
38 supps · 249 outcomes

Evidence-Based Protocol

Supplement stack ranked by research quality

Strong Evidence

Primary Stack (Tier 1)

Omega-3 Fatty AcidsA
2-4g EPA/DHA daily (for triglycerides)

Reduces triglyceride synthesis in liver, increases VLDL clearance, and modestly raises HDL

45 studies | 5,000 participants
BerberineA
500mg 2-3x daily with meals

Inhibits PCSK9 to increase LDL receptor expression, activates AMPK to reduce lipid synthesis

25 studies | 2,500 participants

Supporting Stack (Tier 2)

Soluble Fiber (Beta-glucan/Psyllium)A
5-15g daily (including 3g beta-glucan)

Binds bile acids in intestine, forcing liver to use cholesterol for new bile acid synthesis

30 studies | 2,500 participants
Plant Sterols/StanolsA
2-3g daily with meals

Compete with cholesterol for intestinal absorption, reducing dietary and biliary cholesterol uptake

40 studies | 4,000 participants
Red Yeast RiceA
1200-2400mg daily (providing 3-10mg monacolin K)

Contains monacolin K (natural lovastatin) that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase

20 studies | 2,000 participants
Niacin (Vitamin B3)B
1-2g daily (extended-release, with monitoring)

Inhibits lipolysis in adipose tissue, reduces VLDL secretion, and raises HDL significantly

25 studies | 3,000 participants

How It Works

Dyslipidemia refers to abnormal blood lipid levels—high LDL cholesterol ('bad cholesterol'), high triglycerides, or low HDL cholesterol ('good cholesterol'). These abnormalities significantly increase cardiovascular disease risk. While statins are the gold standard for high LDL, several supplements have strong evidence for improving lipid profiles, especially for those who can't tolerate statins or need additional lipid-lowering.

•Omega-3 Fatty Acids are the most effective supplement for lowering triglycerides. At doses of 2-4g daily, they can reduce triglycerides by 15-30%. The REDUCE-IT trial showed that high-dose EPA (4g/day) also reduced cardiovascular events. They work by reducing the liver's production of triglyceride-rich VLDL particles. Effects on LDL and HDL are modest.
•Berberine is remarkably effective for dyslipidemia—it can lower LDL cholesterol by 20-25%, similar to a low-dose statin. It works through a unique mechanism: inhibiting PCSK9, which increases the number of LDL receptors on liver cells that remove LDL from the blood. It also activates AMPK, reducing cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis.
•Soluble Fiber (Beta-glucan/Psyllium) lowers LDL cholesterol by binding bile acids in the intestine. The liver must then use cholesterol to make new bile acids, reducing circulating LDL. The FDA allows health claims for oat beta-glucan—3g daily can lower LDL by 5-10%.
•Plant Sterols/Stanols are structurally similar to cholesterol and compete with it for absorption. Taking 2-3g daily with meals can reduce LDL by 6-15%. They're often added to margarine spreads and yogurt drinks.
•Red Yeast Rice contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the statin lovastatin. It can lower LDL by 15-25%. However, quality varies widely between products—some contain little active ingredient, others have high levels plus potential contaminants.
•Niacin (Vitamin B3) is the most effective supplement for raising HDL—it can increase HDL by 15-35%. It also lowers triglycerides and LDL. However, it causes flushing in most people, and the extended-release form is better tolerated.

Expected timeline: Omega-3 effects on triglycerides visible in 4-6 weeks. LDL reductions from berberine, fiber, and sterols appear in 4-8 weeks. Retest lipid panel after 8-12 weeks of supplementation.

Generated from peer-reviewed researchSchema v2.0

Supplements for Dyslipidemia

Sorted by strength of evidence

BBeta-glucans
1
↓Apolipoprotein BImproves↑Non-HDL CholesterolWorsens↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
BCinnamon
1
↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves↓Total cholesterolImproves
BSpirulina
1
↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves↓Total cholesterolImproves
BBerberine
1
↓Apolipoprotein BImproves↓TriglyceridesImproves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
BResveratrol
1
↑AdiponectinImproves↓Total cholesterolImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
BGrape Seed Extract
1
↓Blood PressureImproves↓Heart RateImproves
BPanax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng)
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓Total cholesterolImproves
CCoenzyme Q10
1
↑Blood FlowImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓HbA1cImproves
CAmla
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↑Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Worsens
CChromium
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
CRed Clover Extract
1
↓Apolipoprotein BImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
CNiacin (Vitamin B3)
1
↑Apolipoprotein AImproves↓Apolipoprotein BImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
CDHEA
1
↓CortisolImproves↑EstrogenWorsens↑Muscle MassImproves
CPolicosanol
1
↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves↓LDL OxidationImproves
CCurcumin
1
↑Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓TriglyceridesImproves
CPsyllium
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
CCreatine
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑CreatinineImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
DArtichoke Extract
1
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)↑Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Worsens↑Total cholesterolWorsens
DFish Oil
1
Apolipoprotein A↓TriglyceridesImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
DRed Yeast Rice
1
Apolipoprotein A↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Small Improvement
23 studies
small↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
23 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
23 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
23 studies
↓Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Liver Fat
1 study
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
1 study
↑Improves
B
Apolipoprotein B
Small Improvement
17 studies
small↓Improves
?
Non-HDL Cholesterol
57 studies
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
13 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
12 studies
↑Worsens
B
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Small Improvement
13 studies
small↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
16 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
16 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
16 studies
↓Improves
B
Adiponectin
Small Increase
6 studies
small↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
16 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
15 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
12 studies
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
10 studies
↓Improves
?
Leptin
8 studies
↑Improves
?
Waist circumference
7 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study
↓Improves
B
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
5 studies
small↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
4 studies
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
5 studies
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
29 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
18 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
17 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
4 studies
↑Worsens
B
Apolipoprotein B
Small Improvement
2 studies
small↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
38 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
35 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
34 studies
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
28 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
21 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
20 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
16 studies
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
C
Apolipoprotein A
Small Increase
2 studies
small↑Improves
?
Apolipoprotein B
2 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Bilirubin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Blood Flow
1 study
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood Flow
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Moderate improvement in blood glucose
1 study
moderate↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Resistin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
C
Apolipoprotein B
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
C
Cortisol
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Estrogen
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Mass
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum DHEA
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
C
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
LDL Oxidation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Moderate Increase
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
59 studies
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
58 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
57 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
55 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
4 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin
3 studies
↑Worsens
?
Apolipoprotein A
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Apolipoprotein B
2 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
2 studies
↑Worsens
?
vLDL-C
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Ferritin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Kidney Function
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Albumin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Urea
1 study
↑Improves
?
Uric Acid
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Creatinine
1 study
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study
↑Improves
?
vLDL-C
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect on HDL cholesterol
46 studies
none
?
Total cholesterol
47 studies
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
47 studies
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
46 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio
11 studies
↑Worsens
?
vLDL-C
8 studies
↑Worsens
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
29 studies
none
?
Total cholesterol
31 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
29 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
19 studies
none
?
Total cholesterol
20 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
19 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
13 studies
none
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
10 studies
none
?
Triglycerides
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
D
Body Mass Index (BMI)
No effect
7 studies
none
?
Total cholesterol
7 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
7 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
6 studies
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
6 studies
none
?
Total cholesterol
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
4 studies
↓Improves
D
Apolipoprotein A
No effect
5 studies
none
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
9 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
9 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
9 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
9 studies
↓Improves
?
Apolipoprotein B
5 studies
↓Improves
D
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
No effect
5 studies
none
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
14 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
14 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
TNF-Alpha
3 studies
↑Worsens
D
Blood glucose
No effect
3 studies
none
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
13 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
10 studies
↓Improves
D
Apolipoprotein A
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Triglycerides
8 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
6 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Apolipoprotein B
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Cell Adhesion Factors
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
2 studies
↑Worsens
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study
↓Improves
?
DNA Damage
1 study
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
Inflammation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Platelet Aggregation
1 study
↑Worsens
?
vLDL-C
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
D
Apolipoprotein A
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Total cholesterol
4 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Apolipoprotein B
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Lipoprotein(a)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
1 study
none
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
D
Apolipoprotein B
No effect
1 study
none
?
Food Intake
1 study
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
1 study
none
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
1 study
none
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
D
Blood glucose
No effect
1 study
none
D
Blood glucose
No effect
1 study
none
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Homocysteine
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 1-beta
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves

Research Citations (15)

Effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation or artichoke juice consumption on lipid profile: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PMID: 34569671
Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia.
PMID: 23543518
Effects of different natural products in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 38886838
Ketogenic Diet Benefits to Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trails.
PMID: 36012064
Effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on appetite, blood glucose levels, and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes
PMID: 15767618
Consumption of yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis ) improves serum lipid parameters in healthy dyslipidemic subjects and provides an additional LDL-cholesterol reduction in individuals on statin therapy
PMID: 19694438
Association of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) intake and dietary intervention and effects on oxidative stress biomarkers of dyslipidemic subjects
PMID: 22578980
Changes in the phenolic content of low density lipoprotein after olive oil consumption in men. A randomized crossover controlled trial
PMID: 17617938
Garlic consumption can reduce the risk of dyslipidemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 39113105
Changes in platelet function and susceptibility of lipoproteins to oxidation associated with administration of aged garlic extract
PMID: 9641475

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