How to Raise HDL Level Naturally?

I've tried everything suggested to raise my HDL level (diet, exercise, avoiding trans fats, etc), and my HDL level is still too low and has been for at least 15 years. The dr. wants me to take prescription medcation, but I don't want the side effects. Some have suggested Policosanol/Gugulipid or no-flush Niacin. Is one better than the other? I am currently trying Policosanol/Gugulipid but have not been taking it long enough to have my cholesterol rechecked. I 've read this formula works, and I've read that it does NOT work. Has anyone had success with a natural remedy to raise their HDL level?

The Policosanol you are currently taking is good for lowering the ldl cholesterol. It works in the gut by binding with bile salts and forcing your body to produce more cholesterol. It take it and it works, but it will not raise HDL. Niacin is very good at raising HDL, as niacin works in the liver partly by blocking the liver from making an intermediate particle called the VLDL. the no flush is not very effective at doing this, and the time release is liver toxic, so the best is the straight stuff. I take 300mg three times daily and now I rarely flush you actually get used to it. Or try taking an aspirin 30 minutes before the niacin and that will reduce the flushing. So bottom line is that you can take both types of products because the site of actions are different.

do you eat lots of salmon and frozen tuna steaks? those are very high in the good fats. also things like green tea are supposed to lower the bad ones.

i had succes with alfalfa

I would second Niacin 250 twice a day for 3-4 weeks and then 500 twice a day for 3-4 weeks, if you get flushing then take an aspirin 30 minutes before your niacin, good luck

I was going to say to take an Omega 3 (fatty acid) suppliment, and increase the amount of whole grains you eat, but here's a list of things that may help.

Red Wine: Drinking red wine is yet another option as long as it is consumed within reason. "There are antioxidants contained in red wines such as cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, and pinot noir, that help slow down the oxidation of HDL and LDL cholesterol", according to Vincent Rifici of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. What was shown is not that the HDL was higher than those not drinking, but that the HDL contained higher levels of several types of blood fats, thus giving the positive result. There is still a lot more research required but this could prove to be a wonderful option.

Orange Juice: There was one specific study conducted at the University of Western Ontario in Canada where 25 students drank orange juice every day for four week. The results were amazing. HDL was raised an astounding 21%. The individual leading this study, Elzbieta Kurowska, stated this increase might have been caused by the flavonoid in the orange juice.

Beans: Kidney and red beans are a wonderful choice for raising HDL. These foods are low-glycemic carbohydrates that during digestion do not cause insulin spikes. Studies conducted where people ate foods rich in low-glycemic carbohydrate measure with the highest level of HDL.

Fish: Fish eaten several times a week can also be beneficial in raising HDL since it contains omega-3 fatty acids. This fish would include sardines, salmon, sea bass, herring, etc. If you do not like to eat fish, fish oil can be used as a supplement although the benefit takes much longer.

Olive Oil: Use oils higher in mono-unsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil. Including 1-2 teaspoons of olive or canola oil with each meal would be sufficient.

Oat bran: Lowers cholesterol and LDL and raises HDL. In one study, two ounces of oat bran per day was associated with a 16% lowering of LDL and, after 3 months, an increase in HDL of as much as 15% (JAMA. 1991. 285. 1833-1839).

Onions: Some research suggests that half of raw onion/day may raise HDL as much as 30%.

Soy Products: A 1995 meta-analysis of 38 studies of soy confirmed that it lowers total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides, and raises HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Soluble Fiber: Add more soluble fiber to diet. Soluble fiber is found in fruits such as apples, grapes, and citrus fruits. The fiber in these foods helps lower total cholesterol and often raises HDL levels. You need to consume at least 30 grams of fiber per day.

I use a natural supplement called Ambrotose A0.