subject: Red Yeast Rice Lower Cholesterol [print this page] Red Yeast Rice is known to reduce the production of harmful cholesterol in the body. But, in some patients, they have been found to have induce muscle pain and dizziness, a condition known as myopathy and the patients had to stop taking the medication. The search for a natural remedy to reduction of cholesterol leads them to Red Yeast Rice.
A study on the effectiveness of Red Yeast Rice in controlling cholesterol levels was conducted on 62 people, who had complained of muscle pain after taking statins. Half of them were given Red Yeast Rice capsules while the others were given placebo tablets. All of them were given a diet and encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. After six months, it was found that the LDL (bad cholesterol) levels of the group taking Red Yeast Rice had come down by about 25% as compared to 5% of the other group. The first group also did not complain of myalgia or muscle pain.
What is Red Yeast Rice
Long used by the Chinese as a flavouring agent, preservative and spice, Red Yeast Rice is a type of red yeast grown on rice. This fermented rice contains considerable amounts of monacolins. In particular it contains Monacolin K, which is the naturally occuring form of Lovastatin, the main ingredient of Mevacor, the drug commonly used for combating cholesterol.
Cholesterol, a type of waxy substance is synthesized by our body for building the cell walls and for certain hormones. It is also there in the diet, in many of things we eat. While some amount of cholesterol is good for us, an excess of it leads to a build up of fats in the inner layer of the arteries thereby clogging them and leading to cardiac problems. Red Yeast Rice inhibits the enzyme HMG- CoA reductase which produces the cholesterol.
How is Red Yeast Rice better?
The amount of Monacolin K in Red Yeast Rice is at least five times lesser than the statin Lovastatin found in the prescription drug Mevacor, but it has been found to produce similar results as the drug. The side effects of the statin being muscle pain, liver inflamation, kidney failure because of high dosages, it is better to opt for the natural product in place of the synthesised one.
Countering the side effects
The effectiveness of Red Yeast Rice to lower cholesterol cannot be doubted however if it's not taken in exact quantities then there can be severe side effects. If you are pregnant or are under 18, then it is not advisable to take Red Yeast Rice. It is best to consult a doctor before taking their dosage so that the side effects that Red Yeast Rice may produce can be counter-balanced.
Just as one nutrient, however good it may be is not sufficient for a good, healthy body, just taking Red Yeast Rice supplements are not enough to lower cholesterol. It must be combined with proper diet, exercise and a regulated, healthy lifestyle to have the desired effect. In addition, there are many other vitamins and nutrients that must be taken along with Red Yeast Rice to give a balanced nutritional supplement.
