Metabolic Health

Cholesterol

About Cholesterol — Metabolic Health.

LDL, HDL, triglycerides and lipid profile.

9studies analysed

4compounds with evidence

Meta-analysisstrongest evidence

Where research is strongest

Add your outcome — free & pseudonymous

Tried something for Cholesterol? Share how it went — only ever published as part of a group of 10+.

5linked compounds

9linked studies

0published community reports

Results By the numbers Community Research Compounds

Headline results for Cholesterol.

Figures as the studies reported them.

Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.

Spirulina

13 of 15 results reported a benefit

3 studies, including a review of trials

'Bad' (LDL) cholesterol41.3 mg/dLlower1 review of trials3 of 3 results reported a benefit2016 study ↗
Total cholesterol1.32lower, unit not reported1 review of trials3 of 3 results reported a benefit2016 study ↗
'Good' (HDL) cholesterol6.06 mg/dLhigher1 review of trials2 of 2 results reported a benefit2016 study ↗

Also measured alongside: Diastolic blood pressure (reported a benefit); Systolic blood pressure (reported a benefit); C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (no clear benefit); and 1 more.

1 more measure

Resveratrol

5 of 9 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

An umbrella review pooling the earlier meta-analyses found no clear change in LDL cholesterol; one dose-response review reported a small fall.

'Bad' (LDL) cholesterolMixed results2 reviews of trials · the results disagree, every figure is listed below1 of 2 results reported a benefit2024 study 1 ↗2022 study 2 ↗
'Good' (HDL) cholesterolNo clear differencenegligible standardised effect1 review of trials0 of 2 results reported a benefit2024 study ↗
Total cholesterol10.3lower, unit not reported1 review of trials2 of 2 results reported a benefit2022 study ↗

No figure given: Blood fats (general) (no clear benefit).

1 more measure

Berberine

15 of 16 results reported a benefit

3 studies, including a review of trials

'Good' (HDL) cholesterol0.06 mmol/Lhigher1 review of trials2 of 2 results reported a benefit2023 study ↗
'Bad' (LDL) cholesterolFell from 3.23 to 2.55 mmol/L1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
Total cholesterolFell from 5.31 to 4.35 mmol/L1 randomised trial2008 study ↗

Also measured alongside: Fasting blood sugar (reported a benefit); Long-term blood sugar (HbA1c) (reported a benefit); Blood sugar after glucose test (reported a benefit); and 4 more.

1 more measure

Psyllium

3 of 3 results reported a benefit

1 review of trials

'Bad' (LDL) cholesterol0.33 mmol/Llower1 review of trials2018 study ↗
Non-HDL cholesterol0.39 mmol/Llower1 review of trials2018 study ↗

Also measured alongside: Cholesterol-carrying protein (ApoB) (reported a benefit).

Every result

Where the evidence is concentrated.

Published research

Cholesterol: findings by compound

What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.

One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.

View the full data table

Published research: reported directions by pairing
Compound and condition	Findings (count)	Studies (count)	Reported results (finding counts)	How sure?
Spirulina	15	3	Benefit: 13; no benefit: 2; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Resveratrol	9	2	Benefit: 5; no benefit: 4; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Berberine	17	3	Benefit: 15; no benefit: 1; harm: 1; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Psyllium	3	1	Benefit: 3; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Degree of benefit for Cholesterol

Strongest evidence first.

Published research: Cholesterol. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Compound	Study designs	Reported findings
SpirulinaResearch score 68/100 · Moderate	2 systematic reviews/meta-analyses + 1 randomised trial — 3 studies	13/15 outcomes showed benefit Total cholesterol1.32 lower, unit not reportedbenefit2016 study ↗ Exact figures -1.32 (95% CI: -67.31 to -26.22, p < 0.001) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 26433766 Total cholesterolReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2021 study ↗ Exact figures n=48 · Follow-up: 8 weeks · Sample (as reported): 48 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Antihypertensive and antihyperlipemic of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) sauce on patients with hypertension: A randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 34542204 HDL-C — 'good' cholesterol6.06 mg/dL higherbenefit2016 study ↗ Exact figures 6.06 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.37-9.76, p = 0.001) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: mg/dL · A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 26433766 LDL-C — 'bad' cholesterol41.3 mg/dL lowerbenefit2016 study ↗ Exact figures -41.32 mg/dL (95% CI: -60.62 to -22.03, p < 0.001) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: mg/dL · A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 26433766 +11 more outcomes →
ResveratrolResearch score 38/100 · Limited	2 systematic reviews/meta-analyses — 2 studies	5/9 outcomes showed benefit Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) — 'bad' cholesterol5.69 lower, unit not reportedbenefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures −5.69 (95%CI: −11.07, −0.31; p = 0.038) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · The Effect of Resveratrol on Blood Lipid Profile: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 36145131 Total cholesterol (TC)10.3 lower, unit not reportedbenefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures −10.28 (95%CI: −13.79, −6.76; p < 0.001) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · The Effect of Resveratrol on Blood Lipid Profile: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 36145131 Total cholesterol (TC) (standardised mean difference)Slightly better than the comparison group (slight effect)benefit2024 study ↗ Exact figures -0.20 (95% CI: -0.31, -0.08; p= 0.001) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy of resveratrol supplementation on lipid profile parameters: An umbrella of meta-analysis · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 39255906 High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (standardised mean difference) — 'good' cholesterolNo clear difference (negligible standardised effect)no benefit2024 study ↗ Exact figures 0.00 (95% CI: -0.04, 0.05; p =0.92) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy of resveratrol supplementation on lipid profile parameters: An umbrella of meta-analysis · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 39255906 +5 more outcomes →
BerberineResearch score 60/100 · Moderate	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 2 randomised trials — 3 studies	15/17 outcomes showed benefit HDL cholesterol (overall) — 'good' cholesterol0.06 mmol/L higherbenefit2023 study ↗ Exact figures 0.06 mmol/L (95% CI 0.00 to 0.11) n=1471 · Follow-up: 4 to 24 weeks · Sample (as reported): 1471 · Recorded unit: mmol/L · Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 36941490 HDL cholesterol (women) — 'good' cholesterol0.11 mmol/L higherbenefit2023 study ↗ Exact figures 0.11 mmol/L (95% CI 0.09 to 0.13) · Follow-up: 4 to 24 weeks · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: mmol/L · Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 36941490 Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol — 'bad' cholesterolFell from 3.23 to 2.55 mmol/Lbenefit2008 study ↗ Exact figures 2.55 mmol/L (P <0.0001) n=One hundred sixteen · Follow-up: 3 months · Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteen · Recorded unit: Not reported · Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 18397984 Total cholesterolFell from 5.31 to 4.35 mmol/Lbenefit2008 study ↗ Exact figures 4.35 mmol/L (P < 0.0001) n=One hundred sixteen · Follow-up: 3 months · Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteen · Recorded unit: Not reported · Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 18397984 +13 more outcomes →
PsylliumResearch score 50/100 · Moderate	1 systematic review/meta-analysis — 1 study	3/3 outcomes showed benefit LDL cholesterol — 'bad' cholesterol0.33 mmol/L lowerbenefit2018 study ↗ Exact figures -0.33 (95% CI: -0.38, -0.27 mmol/L; P < 0.00001) n=1924 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1924 · Recorded unit: mmol/L · Effect of psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber on LDL cholesterol and alternative lipid targets, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 30239559 Non-HDL cholesterol — 'good' cholesterol0.39 mmol/L lowerbenefit2018 study ↗ Exact figures -0.39 (95% CI: -0.50, -0.27 mmol/L; P < 0.00001) n=1924 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1924 · Recorded unit: mmol/L · Effect of psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber on LDL cholesterol and alternative lipid targets, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 30239559 Apolipoprotein B (apoB) — a protein that carries cholesterol0.05 g/L lowerbenefit2018 study ↗ Exact figures -0.05 (95% CI: -0.08, -0.03 g/L; P < 0.0001) n=1924 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1924 · Recorded unit: g/L · Effect of psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber on LDL cholesterol and alternative lipid targets, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 30239559

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

No community reports published yet.

We publish cholesterol results only once at least 10 people report on the same compound, so no individual report is ever shown.

Spirulina
Research saysResearch score 68/100 · Moderate3 of 3 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Berberine
Research saysResearch score 60/100 · Moderate3 of 3 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Psyllium
Research saysResearch score 50/100 · Moderate1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Resveratrol
Research saysResearch score 38/100 · Limited2 of 2 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports