Q. I’ve always had high cholesterol and I’ve been taking pravastatin for a couple of years. I couldn’t get my cholesterol down until I added 250 mg of magnesium daily.
My last test results showed total cholesterol of 183, HDL 54, LDL 99 and triglycerides at 151. Is this success due to the magnesium?
A. There are data to suggest that higher magnesium intake may be associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol (Hypertension Research, online, Oct. 30, 2014). Keep in mind that too much magnesium causes diarrhea. For some people, that would be more than 300 mg/day, while others may tolerate doses at least double that amount.
Lowering Cholesterol with Diet
There are many foods that you could add to your regimen that would be beneficial, such as flaxseed, oats, nuts and avocados. Even adding cinnamon or vinegar to your meals can be surprisingly helpful.
Cutting down on carbs, especially sugars and white flour, would help you lower your triglycerides even further. So would a fish oil supplement. We have a video on how to eat your way to lower cholesterol that you may want to watch.
We discuss dietary approaches in detail, along with other strategies for reducing cardiovascular risk factors, in our Guide to Cholesterol Control & Heart Health.
