By Nicole Duncan

Has your doc warned you that statins may be in your near future? These alternatives may offer a first line of defense:

Chinese red yeast extract has been used in China for centuries as a food preservative and spice. A new study published in the American Journal of Cardiology has found that red yeast extract may reduce the risk of having another heart attack by 45 percent. The extract contains monacolins, which inhibit the production of cholesterol. Take 1,200 mg of red yeast powder capsules two times a day with food.

Artichoke leaf extract can lower cholesterol significantly in those with moderately raised levels, says new research from the University of Reading, United Kingdom. The leaf’s high antioxidant content may be responsible for the results.