b'Do Try This at HomeIf your cholesterol levels are higher than normal, bringing them into a healthy range can often be accomplished with lifestyle changes plus targeted supplements. AGED GARLIC EXTRACT (AGE).While garlic has long been used to enhance cardiovascular health, aging this pungent herb is the real key to its cholesterol-lowering potential. This is because aging garlic for up to 20 months converts the harsh elements in the herb to beneficial water-soluble compounds like S-allylcysteine and S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine. These antioxidant-rich compounds not only lower cholesterol levels by preventing its synthesis in the liver but also help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. One study published in the Journal of Nutrition highlighted clinical research showing that AGE lowered total cholesterol by 7 percent and LDL cholesterol by 10 percent in a group of men with high cholesterol , AGE levels. In another clinical trial that appeared in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicinereduced total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides while also increasing HDL levels. LECITHIN.Supplementing with lecithina type of beneficial fat that contains phospholipidshas been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In a small study published in the journal Cholesterol, participants took 500 mg of soy lecithin a day. After two months, their average total cholesterol was reduced by 42 percent, and LDL cholesterol dropped by 56.15 percent.OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS.Abundant in fatty fish like salmon, as well as nuts and seeds, omega-3 fatty acids have a well-earned reputation for being heart-healthy sources of beneficial fat. According to researchers at Stanford University, supplementing with omega-3-rich fish oil raises HDL cholesterol levels while also increasing the size of LDL particles. Whats more, omega-3s act as a powerful anti-inflammatory that can reduce the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries. For the most benefit, look for an ultra-pure, sustainable source of fish oil.PHYTOSTEROLS.Similar in structure to cholesterol, phytosterols benefit the heart by preventing the absorption of cholesterol from food. A number of clinical trials have confirmed that phytosterols can effectively lower both total and LDL cholesterol levels without affecting HDL. One review in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition compared six clinical trials and found that supplementing with 2 to 2.5 grams of phytosterols daily effectively reduced total cholesterol levels by up to 11 percent and LDL cholesterol by as much as 15 percent. RED YEAST RICE.This fermented byproduct of rice on which red yeast is grown contains a compound called monacolin K that inhibits the production of cholesterol by stopping the action of a key enzyme in the liver. RYR is so effective that research in the American Journal of Cardiology found that it can cut total cholesterol by 15 percent and LDL cholesterol by as much as 25 percent. Other studies show that combining RYR with fish oil is just as effective as a statin for lowering cholesterol. But since RYR works in a way thats similar to statins, its wise to also take a CoQ10 supplement.8GET HEART HEALTHY'