|
Product Search
|
| |
|
Red Yeast Rice
What Is It?
During the last several years, red yeast rice, an Asian dietary staple made by fermenting red
yeast (Monascus purpureus) on rice, gained rapid recognition in the United States as a cholesterol-lowering
agent. This was because a careful fermentation process yielded specific amounts of statins--the compounds
largely held responsible for reducing cholesterol levels. In 2001, however, red yeast rice extract, a
"natural" unregulated nutritional supplement, was withdrawn by the FDA. This decision followed the agency's
determination that it was chemically too similar to the prescription statin medication Mevacor, and thus
should be classified as a "drug," which by law is strictly controlled by the federal government.
As a result, supplements containing red yeast rice have basically disappeared from retail stores. And the
original product, Cholestin, has been reformulated without red yeast rice. It's likely, however, that sources
of red yeast rice may still remain available. If the product does return to health-food stores in the future,
it will probably be available only by a doctor or a nutritionist.
As a substance, red yeast rice extract has a number of heart-healthy benefits: It seems to help reduce total
cholesterol levels, lower levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, increase levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, and
lower levels of unhealthy fats called triglycerides. It appears to accomplish this by restricting the liver's
production of cholesterol. The compound responsible for this effect-mevinolin--is chemically identical to the
cholesterol-lowering compound lovastatin, which is sold as the prescription drug Mevacor. Hence the action by
the FDA. Mevinolin is also similar to the active ingredients in other cholesterol medications such as Zocor
(simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Unsaturated fatty acids in red yeast rice extract are also believed
to be beneficial, possibly by lowering triglycerides.
The best way to achieve and maintain a healthy cholesterol level is to take heart-healthy substances such as red
yeast rice extract as part of an overall regimen that includes exercise and a low-fat diet that is high in soluble
fiber. Most studies of the extract that showed a substantial cholesterol-lowering effect (reduction of 25 to 40 points)
included such lifestyle measures.
Don't mix red yeast rice extract with other statin-type cholesterol-lowering medications, or you may risk consuming
excessive amounts of particular ingredients. However, red yeast rice can be safely combined with niacin supplements
for additional cholesterol-lowering effects.
|
|
Red Yeast Rice
$15.99
|
|
|
|
