LDL cholesterol

Method

Serum or plasma low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, by direct homogeneous clinical assay or by calculation. The derivation is recorded on the edge.

The method is part of the endpoint identity. Studies measuring the same quantity by a different method are held as separate endpoints.

Notes

Where reported by the Friedewald equation the value is derived rather than assayed, and becomes unreliable at high triglyceride concentrations; record the derivation on the edge. NOT the same endpoint as total or HDL cholesterol, which are separate fractions measured separately and can move in OPPOSITE directions under one intervention.

Findings

3 findings from 3 compounds, strongest first.

• curcumin — no detected effect on

  BLikelyGrade B, Likely. Human evidence, limited replication or design limits.FindingNull result

  “However, the pooled effects of curcumin supplementation on LDL, HDL, and TG were not statistically significant regardless of its forms, see Supplementary Appendix S–U.”

  Study

  meta-analysis

  Population

  adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD/NASH); additional (non-liver-enzyme) outcome of the updated meta-analysis, pooled across 11 trials

  An updated meta-analysis of effects of curcumin on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on available evidence from Iran and Thailand.2023PMID:37037891

• melatonin — decreases

  BLikelyGrade B, Likely. Human evidence, limited replication or design limits.Finding

  “The meta-analysis indicated that melatonin supplementation significantly reduced serum TC (WMD: −6.97 mg/dL, 95% CI: −12.20, −1.74) and LDL-C levels (WMD: −6.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: −10.53, −2.03) in the melatonin group compared with the control group.”

  Study

  meta-analysis

  Dose

  0.3-100 mg/day oral

  Population

  adults in 63 RCTs of melatonin supplementation vs placebo across mixed clinical populations

  Effect -6.28 mean difference, 95% CI -10.53 to -2.03

  Comprehensive Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.2025PMID:41515249

• resveratrol — decreases

  BLikelyGrade B, Likely. Human evidence, limited replication or design limits.Finding

  “The applied random-effects model showed that resveratrol intake significantly decreased the LDL-C level (Mean difference = −5.69; 95%CI: −11.07, −0.31, p = 0.038, I2 = 64.2%, C).”

  Study

  meta-analysis

  Dose

  10-3000 mg/day resveratrol across the pooled trials

  Population

  Adults aged 18-85 in 15 placebo-controlled RCTs (16 comparisons), resveratrol vs placebo

  Effect -5.69 mean difference, 95% CI -11.07 to -0.31

  The Effect of Resveratrol on Blood Lipid Profile: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.2022PMID:36145131