Lipid-lowering nutraceuticals in clinical practice: position paper from an International Lipid Expert Panel

Nutr Rev. 2017 Sep 1;75(9):731-767. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nux047.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the possible use of nutraceuticals to improve and optimize dyslipidemia control and therapy. Based on the data from available studies, nutraceuticals might help patients obtain theraputic lipid goals and reduce cardiovascular residual risk. Some nutraceuticals have essential lipid-lowering properties confirmed in studies; some might also have possible positive effects on nonlipid cardiovascular risk factors and have been shown to improve early markers of vascular health such as endothelial function and pulse wave velocity. However, the clinical evidence supporting the use of a single lipid-lowering nutraceutical or a combination of them is largely variable and, for many of the nutraceuticals, the evidence is very limited and, therefore, often debatable. The purpose of this position paper is to provide consensus-based recommendations for the optimal use of lipid-lowering nutraceuticals to manage dyslipidemia in patients who are still not on statin therapy, patients who are on statin or combination therapy but have not achieved lipid goals, and patients with statin intolerance. This statement is intended for physicians and other healthcare professionals engaged in the diagnosis and management of patients with lipid disorders, especially in the primary care setting.

Keywords: dyslipidemia; lipid; nutraceuticals; position paper; recommendations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy
  • Dyslipidemias / epidemiology*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / blood
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Intestinal Absorption / drug effects
  • Life Style
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Phytochemicals / administration & dosage
  • Phytochemicals / blood
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacokinetics
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage
  • Probiotics / pharmacokinetics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Phytochemicals
  • Triglycerides