Supplements taken for heart health” are unlikely to have a significant impact on cholesterol levels

Supplements taken for heart health” are unlikely to have a significant impact on cholesterol levels

Six widely used dietary supplements promoted to improve heart health were not effective in lowering LDL, or "bad," cholesterol compared to a standard low-dose statin or placebo, according to the latest scientific findings presented today at the American Heart Association's 2022 Scientific Sessions. The meeting, held in person in Chicago and virtually November 5-7, 2022, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advances, research findings and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.

According to a 2020 market research analysis, Americans spend an estimated $50 billion annually on dietary supplements, and many of them are marketed for “heart protection” or “cholesterol management.” Yet there is little to no research to support these benefits. Some people also believe that supplements are as effective or more effective than cholesterol-lowering statins.”

Luke J. Laffin, MD, study author, co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders, Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio

This study compared the effectiveness of a low-dose statin with that of six common dietary supplements in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol - known as bad cholesterol - as well as their effects on other cholesterol levels and inflammatory markers.

There are two types of cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol because it protects the heart. In contrast, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol, indicate a higher risk of heart disease and stroke because it forms plaques that can narrow and stiffen arteries. Elevated bad cholesterol is a growing problem worldwide. According to the American Heart Association's 2022 statistics, there were 4.51 million deaths attributed to high LDL cholesterol worldwide in 2020, an increase of 19% compared to 2010.

In this study, called the Supplements, Placebo or Rosuvastatin Study, or SPORT, researchers analyzed health data from 199 adults between the ages of 40 and 75 who had no personal history of cardiovascular disease. Participants had LDL cholesterol levels between 70 mg/dL and 189 mg/dL and a 5% to 20% risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease within 10 years.

Researchers randomly assigned participants to one of eight groups to track any changes in LDL cholesterol and other markers of heart disease from day one to day 28 of the study. The groups included those who took: a placebo or dummy pill; 5 mg of the low-dose statin drug rosuvastatin (a standard drug); or one of six dietary supplements (Nature Made® fish oil 2,400 mg; Nutriflair™ brand cinnamon 2,400 mg; Garlique™ brand garlic with 5,000 mcg of allicin; BioSchwartz brand turmeric curcumin with Bioperine 4,500 mg; Nature Made® CholestOff Plus™ with 1,600 mg of plant sterols or Arazo Nutrition brand of red yeast rice 2,400 mg).

Researchers found:

• Die durchschnittliche Senkung des LDL-Cholesterins nach 28 Tagen betrug 37,9 % bei den Teilnehmern, die das Statin einnahmen, während die Veränderungen des LDL-Cholesterinspiegels bei denjenigen, die eines der Nahrungsergänzungsmittel einnahmen, mit denen in der Placebogruppe vergleichbar waren.
• Die Menschen in der Statin-Gruppe hatten eine durchschnittliche Senkung des Gesamtcholesterins um 24 %, was eine deutlichere Senkung war als in der Placebo-Gruppe oder irgendeiner Nahrungsergänzung. Im Vergleich zu Placebo gab es jedoch keinen Unterschied bei den Gesamtcholesterinmessungen für die Teilnehmer, die eines der Nahrungsergänzungsmittel einnahmen.
• Rosuvastatin führte zu einer 19 %igen Abnahme der Triglyceride im Blut. Im Vergleich zu Placebo gab es bei keinem der Nahrungsergänzungsmittel einen Unterschied bei den Triglyceriden.
• Unter Rosuvastatin gab es keine signifikante Veränderung des HDL-Cholesterins.
• Im Vergleich zu Placebo senkte das Nahrungsergänzungsmittel mit Pflanzensterinen das HDL-Cholesterin deutlich.
• Im Vergleich zu Placebo erhöhte das Nahrungsergänzungsmittel mit Knoblauch das LDL-Cholesterin deutlich.
• Keine der Studieninterventionen wirkte sich nennenswert auf Entzündungsmarker im Blut aus, die auf ein höheres Risiko für Herzerkrankungen während der 28 Tage der Studie hindeuten.

"Although there are previous studies showing that red yeast rice and plant sterol supplements can lower LDL cholesterol, the results of our study underscore that the content of these supplements can vary. Therefore, they do not result in consistent reductions in cholesterol levels," Laffin said. "This study sends an important public health message that supplements commonly taken for 'cholesterol health' or 'heart health' are unlikely to have significant effects on cholesterol levels. The results also show that a low-dose statin has important beneficial effects on one's cholesterol profile. Future research should examine other types of supplements and their potential effects on cholesterol levels."

The American Heart Association emphasizes a lifelong heart-healthy lifestyle in its 2018 Cholesterol Guidelines. Additionally, the association suggests not relying on supplements and recommends that healthy people obtain adequate nutrients by eating a variety of foods in moderation. In addition, the association recommends that physical activity is the optimal first treatment option for adults with mild to moderately elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol who are otherwise at low risk for heart disease

One limitation of the study is that its duration was only 28 days, which was long enough to demonstrate a reduction in LDL cholesterol with the statin medication. “However, it is not known whether some of the supplements require a longer period of time to have an effect on cholesterol levels,” says Laffin.

Source:

American Heart Association

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