Red Yeast Rice - The Supplement That Efficiently Lowers Cholesterol

By Author: David Decker
Total Articles: 46
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Used in Chinese food for a long time as a preservative, food colouring and a spice, Red yeast rice has been found to lower cholesterol levels in patients significantly, if administered in controlled dosages. The Chinese use it as an integral part of their cuisine. It gives Peking duck its red hue and it is an important ingredient in fish sauce, fish paste and rice wine. The company Pharmanex has found scientific proof and ways by which significant lowering can be seen in cholesterol levels of the patients. The active ingredient in red yeast rice is ‘Lovastatin', a naturally present monocolin. All monocolins, particularly lovastatin are believed to inhibit the cholesterol triggering enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, when they get converted in the body on ingestion. Naturally occurring Lovastatin present in red yeast rice is at very low levels compared to the Lovastatin found in prescription statin drugs like Mevacor, Zocor, Lipitor and Crestor. As such, the side effects from red yeast rice are much less so than prescription statin drugs. Red yeast rice has been referred to as a kindler, gentler statin. This has led to the development ...
... of many red yeast rice products that have been marketed as natural food products for cholesterol reduction.

However it is this lovastatin that became a reason for the FDA to ban red yeast rice products back in 2007, a position they have since reversed. The reason was that lovastatin was an important ingredient in many pharmaceutical medicines for high cholesterol patients; an example is the highly popular prescription drug, Mevacor. The fact that synthetically produced lovastatin is an ingredient used in prescription drugs was the justification the FDA made to ban it for use as a natural food product. The FDA issued a warning in August 2007 that made manufacturers of red yeast products call back all the products that were under suspicion of the FDA. This position was subsequently reversed.

The FDA has now classifies it into the category of dietary supplements. There still is a debate as to whether it should be put in the ‘prescription drug category' or the ‘dietary supplement' category. But as for the present, it is in the category of dietary supplements to reduce cholesterol.

Red yeast rice is advised to be used to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides. The UCLA School of medicine conducted a study on the effects of red yeast rice on eighty three high cholesterol patients. All the subjects were given 2.4 grams of red yeast rice or placebo a day. They were kept on a 30% fat diet (having no more than 10% saturated fat and maximum 300 mg cholesterol daily). The subjects were tested for a twelve week period (roughly three months). At the end of this time, there was a significant dip in the total cholesterol level, triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol was observed to be unaffected.

Before using red yeast rice, it is very important to familiarize oneself with the precautions related to its use. Red yeast products contain citrinin, a toxic fermentation by-product. It is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. People having liver diseases or at risk of having liver infections should avoid red yeast rice by all means. So should people with kidney ailments, acute infections or those who have had an organ transplant. Always consult a doctor before using red yeast rice and stop use immediately on the occurrence of any side effects like muscle pain, tenderness etc.

If you are looking for products that are all natural and work well with your healthy lifestyle then heartsavior.com is the online stop for you. Find products with RED YEAST RICE that will help lower cholesterol naturally as well as other natural dietary supplements.