3 Alternatives to Statins Might Target the Root of Heart Disease

Explore the potential of natural supplements as alternatives or complements to statins for heart health.

Berberine supplement capsules. Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock

Statins have been the go-to treatment for preventing heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, for decades. But they may not be the cure-all they’ve been made out to be.

These cholesterol-lowering drugs fail to address what experts say is one of the key root causes of cardiovascular issues: inflammation from oxidized blood lipids.

Mounting research indicates that natural supplements such as berberine, nattokinase, and bergamot are nutraceuticals with effects that may succeed where statins fall short.

Understanding the Root of the Problem

Oxidized blood lipids refer to fats in the bloodstream that have undergone oxidation, a process in which molecules lose electrons. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, can become oxidized because of various factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high levels of other reactive substances in the body.

When LDL cholesterol is oxidized, it can contribute to plaque formation in the arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, leading to atherosclerosis, which is the thickening or hardening of the arteries and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The nutraceuticals described below can help, but it’s important to know that none of these can replace a healthy lifestyle or negate harmful habits, such as smoking, that can cause disease.

The Chinese Super Berry: Berberine

Berberine has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Primarily found in the Chinese barberry plant, berberine is a plant compound that boasts multifaceted benefits ranging from enhanced cognitive function to controlled blood glucose levels to fortifying the immune system.

“There’s a lot of quality data on berberine and a good safety profile,” Dr. Jack Wolfson, a board-certified cardiologist, said.

Berberine is a compound that can be found in barberry plants. amtiko/Shutterstock

Cardio Benefits

A recent meta-analysis of 44 studies found that berberine improved blood lipids, inflammation, and atherosclerosis with minimal risks. It also outperformed statins in reducing factors such as stroke risk and artery plaque buildup.

Anti-Diabetic Benefits

One-third of people with Type 2 diabetes also have cardiovascular disease, according to a review published in Cardiovascular Diabetology. The two metabolic diseases are often interconnected. People with diabetes have a doubled risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke in comparison to those without diabetes.

Emerging research also highlights berberine’s anti-diabetic potential. Studies show it may lower blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin. One 2009 paper called it the “ideal medicine” for treating Type 2 diabetes, and a 2023 report found that berberine outperformed metformin, a drug that lowers blood glucose levels, in treating obesity and controlling blood lipids.

“If someone needs both lipids and glucose lowered, berberine is my first go-to,” Angela Sadlon, a licensed naturopathic physician, told The Epoch Times. But high doses may cause cramping or loose stools, she noted, adding that working with a holistic doctor can prevent side effects.

The Japanese Superfood: Natto

Natto is a traditional fermented soybean dish widely consumed throughout Japan for thousands of years. Nattokinase, an enzyme from the fermented soy food natto, has been researched for its potential cardiovascular benefits.

“Nattokinase is an enzyme that breaks down unwanted blood clots in the blood circulation,” Gitte Jensen, research director at NIS Labs, a contract research laboratory, told The Epoch Times. Nattokinase can break down problematic blood clots by “digesting” fibrin, a protein that plays a central role in blood clotting.

“Fibrin is a molecule that is only wanted when we have a wound and we need to repair the wound,” Ms. Jensen said. However, when the body is inflamed, clumps of fibrin can form, contributing to atherosclerosis, she said.

Natto is a traditional fermented soybean dish widely consumed throughout Japan for thousands of years. beauty-box/Shutterstock

Studies since the 1980s have explored whether nattokinase supplements could help prevent cardiovascular events and strokes.

While some studies found nattokinase didn’t provide meaningful cardiovascular protection, more recent research found higher-dose nattokinase improved biomarkers in people with atherosclerosis and high blood lipids.

One 2022 study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found that supplementing nattokinase for a year effectively managed atherosclerosis and high lipid levels. Another study showed nattokinase reduced plaque buildup by 36.6 percent compared to 11.5 percent for statins.

Nattokinase prevents plaque buildup, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, according to Dr. David Brownstein, a board-certified family physician. Statins are often ineffective for this, he said.

A Mediterranean Moment: Bergamot

Grown mainly along the coast of Italy, bergamot is a lime-like citrus fruit that Italians have prized for centuries. Its medicinal use as an anti-infectious agent dates back to at least 1688. This century, bergamot has shown promise for managing blood lipids and promoting heart health.

Researchers attribute these potential heart-protective effects to bergamot’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Bergamot is a lime-like citrus fruit that Italians have prized for centuries. ISEN STOCKER/Shutterstock

One study on 80 people with high cholesterol found that six months of bergamot supplementation significantly lowered levels of small, dense LDL particles—the type most prone to oxidation.

Bergamot can effectively reduce triglycerides and total LDL cholesterol, a 2019 systematic review published in Food Science and Nutrition concluded. However, the authors noted that research on bergamot is still limited and that more studies are needed to determine its efficacy and optimal dosing fully.

The Complete Solution

While the above foods and supplements can help, true reversal of heart disease requires comprehensive changes, Dr. Wolfson told The Epoch Times. Eating a wholesome diet and avoiding inflammatory foods is essential, he said.

While nutraceuticals may help lower biomarkers for heart disease, they don’t address the root lifestyle causes that lead to cardiovascular issues in the first place.

Regular exercise, adequate sleep, sun exposure, and minimizing environmental toxins also contribute to optimal heart health in the long-term.

“Eat well, live well, think well” is Dr. Wolfson’s mantra.