Dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia is a metabolic condition characterized by changes in the lipid profile, including LDL-C or HDL-C levels. It describes the lipid abnormality itself, rather than a particular supplement or treatment.
Dyslipidemia is classified as a metabolic condition. Explore its dedicated overview.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
7 options:1 some evidence5 not enough evidence1 not tested in people
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials reported improvements in DBP, HDL-C, TG, and BG among middle-aged and elderly people with chronic diseases. A separate pooled analysis reported better exercise capacity among 127 participants with metabolic conditions.
Open the High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) pageCardiopracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found that exercise improved triglycerides, while some modalities also improved total cholesterol or HDL-C in people with SCAD-associated dyslipidemia. No exercise modality significantly changed LDL-C.
Open the Cardio pageQigongpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized trials reported improvements in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C.
Open the Qigong pageTai ChipracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis of randomized trials found reductions in LDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol, while HDL-C did not change significantly.
Open the Tai Chi pageYogapracticeNot enough evidence
SwimmingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported improvements in total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol across 3 intervention studies.
Open the Swimming pageCyclingpracticeNot tested in people
Only tested in animals, cells or theory. Results like these often do not carry over to people.
The one study found a benefit.
Regular aerobic exercise is described as modestly improving triglycerides and HDL cholesterol as an adjunct to diet.
Open the Cycling page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition7 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)CertaintyMediumSourceMeta-analysis
A meta-analysis of randomized trials reported improvements in DBP, HDL-C, TG, and BG among middle-aged and elderly people with chronic diseases. A separate pooled analysis reported better exercise capacity among 127 participants with metabolic conditions.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
- Copd
- Diabetes Type2
- Dyslipidemia
- Heart Disease
- Hypertension
- +6 more
Open High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Study result
Meta-analysis of 21 RCTs showing significant improvements in DBP, HDL-C, TG, and BG in middle-aged and elderly populations with chronic diseases.
Low probability(6)
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found that exercise improved triglycerides, while some modalities also improved total cholesterol or HDL-C in people with SCAD-associated dyslipidemia. No exercise modality significantly changed LDL-C.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open CardioStudy result
Exercise significantly improved TG (CAE, HIIT, CAREX), TC (CAREX), and HDL-C (CAREX, MBE) in patients with SCAD-associated dyslipidemia; no exercise modality significantly changed LDL-C.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized trials reported improvements in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dyslipidemia
- Hypertension
- Prediabetes
Open QigongStudy result
Meta-analysis showing significant improvements in lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C).
- →PracticesTai ChiCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis of randomized trials found reductions in LDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol, while HDL-C did not change significantly.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Breast Cancer
- Diabetes Type2
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Open Tai ChiStudy result
Pooled reductions in LDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol; HDL-C not significantly changed.
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported reductions in total cholesterol (MD -10.99; 95% CI -15.19 to -6.78), triglycerides (MD -17.17; 95% CI -22.00 to -12.34), and LDL (MD -10.71; 95% CI -13.75 to -7.68), alongside an increase in HDL (MD +2.44; 95% CI 1.69 to 3.19); all were p<0.001. VLDL change was not significant.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Diabetes Type2
- Dyslipidemia
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Prediabetes
Open YogaStudy result
Overall meta-analysis: TC MD -10.99 (95% CI -15.19 to -6.78), TG MD -17.17 (95% CI -22.00 to -12.34), LDL MD -10.71 (95% CI -13.75 to -7.68), HDL MD +2.44 (95% CI 1.69 to 3.19), all p<0.001; VLDL NS.
- →PracticesSwimmingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported improvements in total cholesterol (p=0.004) and HDL cholesterol (p<0.001) across 3 intervention studies.
Open SwimmingStudy result
Meta-analysis of 3 intervention studies (n=86) showing significant improvement in total cholesterol (p=0.004) and HDL cholesterol (p<0.001).
- →PracticesCyclingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Regular aerobic exercise is described as modestly improving triglycerides and HDL cholesterol as an adjunct to diet.
Open CyclingStudy result
Regular aerobic exercise modestly improves triglycerides and HDL cholesterol as an adjunct to diet.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worseNothing in this library is currently recorded as making Dyslipidemia worse. Coverage is partial, and absence here is not evidence of safety.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Dyslipidemia is a metabolic condition characterized by changes in the lipid profile, including LDL-C or HDL-C levels. It describes the lipid abnormality itself, rather than a particular supplement or treatment. Interventions such as Vitamin B3 (Niacin) or Berberine may be discussed in relation to dyslipidemia, but the condition and its management are separate concepts.
Evidence-backed options
The options associated with dyslipidemia have been studied in different contexts, and their findings do not all address the same lipid measures. Some evidence concerns use alongside statins, while other findings consider alternatives for people who do not tolerate or do not wish to begin statin therapy. Reported effects may involve LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol, or triglycerides rather than the full lipid profile.
The time-bound findings are limited. Astaxanthin was studied as daily supplementation with 6, 12 or 18 mg for 12 weeks. Green Tea Extract (EGCG) was assessed at a daily oral intake of 107–856 mg for 4–14 weeks, with findings focused on LDL-C. Ginger findings refer to high doses of ginger rhizomes (>2 g/day), but no treatment duration is given. No specific onset time is established in these findings, so they do not show how quickly changes might appear.
Confidence is uneven across the options. The evidence includes randomized controlled trials, clinical evidence, reviews, and animal research, with lower-confidence findings for several options and Krill Oil supported here by animal research rather than human studies. Some findings also apply to particular groups, such as patients with T2DM or individuals with metabolic disorders, so they may not generalize to everyone with dyslipidemia. A clinician can help interpret these options in the context of an individual’s lipid pattern, health status, and existing treatment.