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Is Red Yeast Rice Good For Cholesterol

Red Yeast Rice For Cholesterol: The Truth Behind The Natural Cure

Nutrition : How to Reduce Cholesterol With Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice has been used in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine for centuries. But whats garnered the most interest in recent decades is its cholesterol-lowering ability.1 If you have a high cholesterol problem or hyperlipidemia, this is a natural alternative to statins, with the potential to improve your lipid profile. But should you use it?

Red yeast rice is produced by fermenting the Monascus purpureus yeast on rice and is known variously as hong qu , ang khak , beni koji, red koji or simply koji , or red mold or red yeast rice .

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Cholesterol And Triglyceride Lowering Diet

While supplements and medications can be effective, eating right can also be very effective. Want to know how to lower your cholesterol with the right diet? Here are some things you need to know about cutting down on cholesterol and triglyceride in the food you eat:

This cholesterol and triglyceride lowering diet is very effective, and will help you get rid of all the junk in your body as naturally as possible.

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Using Red Yeast Rice Extract Instead Of Prescription Statins

Dr. Hazen states, When I have a patient who is adamant about not wishing to take an FDA-cleared drug, but is agreeable to taking a “natural” intervention to lower LDL cholesterol, I have, on these rare occasions, used red yeast rice extract and monitored the patient for side effects and ordered liver function tests. In general, when a patient takes a large amount of supplements, I also recommend getting a complete blood cell count with differential to check for eosinophilia higher than the normal level of a type of white blood cells called eosinophils or other abnormalities. If there is a significant jump in eosinophils, I recommend that the patient stops taking the supplements.”

Red Yeast Rice And Muscle Reactions:

Weider Red Yeast Rice Plus 1200 mg., 240 Tablets

A. Statin-linked muscular damage appears to be, in part, related to dose. Red yeast rice contains lovastatin, although it is present in lower doses than those found in conventional prescription drugs. There is evidence that it can lower LDL cholesterol . Adding phytosterols may increase the effectiveness of RYR.

One small trial found that many people who dont tolerate statins do well on red yeast rice . That said, some people are so sensitive to statin side effects that even RYR causes pain and muscle weakness .

On the other hand, certain physicians are adamant that RYR is not an appropriate substitute for statin therapy . They may worry that such dietary supplements are not appropriately standardized or monitored for quality control .

You may find our eGuide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health useful, as it contains other non-statin strategies for controlling LDL.

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Fermented Red Yeast Rice

Folk medicine in various countries like China, Japan, and India has the tradition of using fermented food for its health benefits, which includes red yeast rice. In Chinese traditional medicine, red yeast rice has been used as a medicine for digestion and revitalization.78 Monacolin K present in monascus fermented red rice reported to inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol.7981

Optimal nutrition, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, weight reduction, exercise, cessation of smoking, restriction of alcohol and caffeine plus other lifestyle modifications can prevent, delay the onset, reduce the severity, and control CVDs.

May Promote Heart Health

Heart disease is a serious condition that affects millions and is estimated to account for 31.5% of deaths around the world .

High cholesterol one of the main risk factors for heart disease can cause arteries to narrow and stiffen, leading to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke .

Red yeast rice is commonly used as a natural remedy to help lower cholesterol levels and promote heart health, and can sometimes have fewer adverse side effects than prescription drugs used to treat high cholesterol .

One review of 21 studies found that red yeast rice was effective at reducing levels of total and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides and blood pressure, when combined with statin drugs .

Additionally, the monacolin K may also help improve endothelial function, or the flexibility and adaptability of your blood vessels, which is key to maintaining your vascular and heart health .

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If You Are Considering Red Yeast Rice

  • Do not use red yeast rice to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing your health care provider about a health problem.
  • Do not use red yeast rice dietary supplements if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing a child. If you are considering giving a child a red yeast rice dietary supplement, it is especially important to consult the childââ¬â¢s health care provider.
  • Do not take red yeast rice in addition to prescription statin drugs.
  • Many websites, including sales sites, have information about red yeast rice. Be cautious when you evaluate information from the web not all of it is trustworthy. For more information, see the NCCIH fact sheet Finding and Evaluating Online Resources.
  • Federal regulations for dietary supplements are very different fromââ¬âand less strict thanââ¬âthose for drugs. For more information about dietary supplements, see NCCIHââ¬â¢s fact sheet Using Dietary Supplements Wisely.
  • Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Prescription Drugs To Treat High Cholesterol

How Red Yeast Rice can lower Cholesterol

Your doctor may have prescribed statins to help lower dangerous levels of cholesterol in your blood. By lowering the levels, they help prevent heart attacks, stroke and even death from heart disease. Clinically formulated prescription statin drugs successfully help lower LDL cholesterol. Compounds such as Monacolin K are naturally occurring statins. These compounds are in prescription drug statins.

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Risks Of Red Yeast Rice Extract

Because red yeast rice extract contains lovastatin, it can cause the same side effects as chemically created statins. These side effects include higher than normal liver function test results and muscle weakness . Because the extract contains less lovastatin than prescription statins do, side effects are less common with the extract.

Red yeast rice extracts are not monitored by the FDA. The lack of FDA regulation means the product could contain ingredients besides the extract that could cause side effects or safety issues. In the past, some manufacturers of red yeast rice extract added chemically created lovastatin to boost the power to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. The FDA made the companies stop this practice, as the altered product was no longer completely natural. Also, different brands of the product may work better than others and there can even be differences among batches from the same manufacturer. A higher cost does not guarantee a better product.

It is important to talk to your doctor before taking red yeast rice extract or any other medication or supplement and to have regular follow-up visits with your doctor. It is not recommended to take red yeast rice extract and prescription statins together.

What Is Red Yeast Rice Extract

RYRE is a substance that’s extracted from rice that’s been fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. It’s been used in China and other Asian countries for centuries as a traditional medicine. It’s also used as a food coloring, additive, and preservative.RYRE naturally contains several ingredients that may help control cholesterol levels. These include a number of monacolins, most importantly monacolin K. It also contains sterols, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fatty acids, or “healthy fats.”

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Is White Rice Bad For Cholesterol

November 26, 2015 by Cholesterol Guardian

For numerous people in various countries, white rice has been the most common daily menu. However, researchers found that white rice is not really a good choice for people with diabetes or those who are concern about their cholesterol level. Although in moderation white rice will not likely to boost cholesterol level, people which are more prone to increasing cholesterol level might tightly control their desire of consuming white rice.

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Red Yeast Rice Side Effects

Red Yeast Rice 600 mg with Policosanol 10 mg 120 Capsules ...

The risks above are serious enough, but did you know that lovastatin just like regular statins can have serious side effects?

One of the main effects that these statins have is causing muscle weakness. The statins can cause a very serious muscle condition rhabdomyolysis, and this can lead to the breaking down of your muscles, and possibly even to kidney failure. There are a number of muscle related problems that can be caused by taking statins, but these problems may not show up for as long as 4 years after the statins are used for therapy for the first time.

In addition, the statins and lovastatin can actually interact negatively with a number of other drugs, such as those used to treat infections, antibiotics, antidepressants, and other medications that work to lower cholesterol. If you are taking these medications, it is important to check with your doctor before taking any red yeast rice that contains lovastatin.

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Red Yeast Rice May Be Better For Those Who Cannot Tolerate Statins

Statin drugs may sometimes result in side effects like weakness or muscle pain. This can be debilitating for some people, making it almost impossible for them to continue taking the statins on an ongoing basis. Studies by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have found that for this category of people, taking red yeast rice did not pose similar problems. In other words, this may offer hope to those who cant tolerate regular statin drugs.8

One study also found that those who could not tolerate other lipid-lowering drugs like statins on a daily basis saw total cholesterol level go down by 13 percent and LDL cholesterol dip by 19 percent after taking red yeast rice for 4 or more weeks.9

Why Does Red Yeast Rice Extract Work To Lower Cholesterol

Red yeast rice extract naturally contains lovastatin, which keeps the body from making cholesterol. The lovastatin in the extract has the same chemical make-up as Mevacor, a cholesterol-lowering drug first developed by the drug company Merck. But, the amount of lovastatin in the extract is much lower than the amount in the prescription drug.

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Searching For Alternatives To Statins:

Other readers have found red yeast rice helpful. On the other hand, they worry about potential side effects.

Q. I am a 73-year-old woman with a long history of high cholesterol. I have had a severe reaction to all statin drugs and cant tolerate any of them.

My total cholesterol was almost 300. After taking red yeast rice twice a day along with Welchol for less than a year, my total cholesterol has come down to 184. My triglycerides are now 300, my HDL 44 and my LDL 80.

So far this has been the only thing that has worked. Even eating a healthy diet did not work. My question is: will I have side effects if I take red yeast rice long term?

A. Red yeast rice is an ancient Chinese food that was also used traditionally as a medicine. It contains compounds called monacolins. These are related to statin medications.

Many people appear to tolerate red yeast rice better than statins. That may be because the dose is generally lower.

Rice List Cholesterol Content Per 100g

Best, Red Yeast Rice Video for Cholesterol – Res-Q LDL-X

Nutritional Value : 13 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 13 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :Typical Serving size of 1 cup :Nutritional Value : 14 / 100Profile for a 100g serving :

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Find Out If These Supplements Work And If They’re Safe To Take

If youre worried about high cholesterol or have already been diagnosed with it, you may be considering taking red yeast rice, a dietary supplement touted to lower cholesterol. Maybe you’re even thinking about taking red yeast rice pills instead of your prescription cholesterol-lowering statin drug.

Red yeast rice supplements are popular: Americans spent some $49 million on them in 2015, according to Nutrition Business Journal. And a recent Consumer Reports investigation found them on the shelves of mainstream pharmacies and stores that sell supplements, including Costco, CVS, GNC, and Whole Foods.

But taking these pills is not a good idea, says Consumer Reports chief medical adviser Marvin M. Lipman, M.D.

Heres what the research shows red yeast rice can do for your healthand the risks associated with taking it.

Comparison Chart Of Top 10 Red Yeast Rice Supplement Brand

No
Red Yeast Rice Extract 1200mg Citrinin Free Supplement Vegetarian 120 Capsules – Arazo Nutrition 9.8
2 Red Yeast Rice Care with COQ-10 and Organic Flaxseed – Supports Cardiovascular Health – 1215mg – Daily Dietary Supplements 9.6
NOW Supplements Red Yeast Rice 1200 mg Nutritional Support 9.2
4 Red Yeast Rice with CoQ10 Supplement – Extra Strength Citrinin-Free Red Yeast Rice 1200mg with CoQ10 100mg Heart Health and Cholesterol Supplement for Men and Women – 120 Daily Veggie Capsules 9
Nature’s Bounty Red Yeast Rice Pills & Herbal Health Supplement 8.8
Puritan’s Pride Red Yeast Rice 600 Mg 8.8
Red Yeast Rice 1200mg with CoQ10 & Flush Free Niacin 120 Vegetarian Capsules – Non Irradiated 8.8
Q-Sorb CoQ10 Plus Red Yeast Rice 8.8
Solaray Red Yeast Rice Plus CoQ-10 & Niacin 8.6
10 Jarrow Formulas Red Yeast Rice – 120 Veggie Caps – Includes 100 mg Co-Q10 Per Serving – Supports Heart & Cardiovascular Health – 60 Servings 8.4
  • High potency 1,200 milligrams each serving of pure extract of Monascus Purpureus
  • High purity no fermentation byproduct Citrinin which is found in some Red Yeast Rice brands
  • Citrinin free stringently screened using LC-MS/MS to under 1 ppm
  • Reliable made in a GMP certified facility in America and third party safety tested for purity
  • 120 vegetarian capsules 60 days supply

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Does Red Yeast Rice Raise Blood Sugar Levels Like Statins

Many people are reluctant to take statins because of side effects like muscle pain and weakness. But their doctors are often quite adamant that they need to lower their LDL cholesterol. Sometimes people may try red yeast rice as a different option. This ancient Chinese food product has been used for hundreds of years to flavor and color food. Chinese healers have traditionally used red yeast rice to enhance blood circulation. Because it also contains statin-type compounds related to lovastatin , it has been shown to lower cholesterol. Does red yeast rice have statin-like side effects? In particular, some of our readers would like to know: does red yeast rice raise blood sugar?

What Are The Risks Of Taking Red Yeast Rice

Red Yeast Rice 600mg
  • Side effects. Red yeast rice side effects are usually mild. It might cause headaches and upset stomach. Not much is known about the long-term safety of red yeast rice. Since red yeast rice contains naturally occurring components which are very similar to statin medications, the same side effects may occur, including but not limited to muscle pain and liver injury.
  • Interactions. Do not take red yeast rice if you are using statins, drugs that suppress the immune system, antifungal drugs, certain antibiotics, or protease inhibitors . People taking red yeast rice should avoid grapefruits. Also, alcohol may increase the risk of liver damage from red yeast rice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you are taking any other prescription medicines or over the counter medicines or supplements.
  • Risks. People with liver disease, kidney disease, and allergies to fungus or yeast should not use red yeast rice. People with very high cholesterol, diabetes, or a high risk of heart attack or stroke may need a more powerful prescription drug like a statin instead of red yeast rice.

Given the lack of evidence about its safety, red yeast rice is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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