Supplements For Three Common Conditions

HIGH cholesterol, high blood pressure, and anxiety are three common conditions that are often treated with medication. But sometimes people can’t tolerate those drugs or are reluctant to use them.

In these instances, dietary supplements may be an option, says Dr. Donald Levy, medical director at the Osher Clinical Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Studies have shown that some herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other substances, alone or in combination with traditional treatments, may be effective in treating these conditions, and are largely safe to use — provided your doctor approves.

High cholesterol

Statins are the most commonly prescribed class of medication to improve high cholesterol, but there are alternatives for people who can’t take them.

Vitamin D₃. If you cannot tolerate a statin medication and have a vitamin D deficiency (which Dr. Levy defines