How Well Does Red Yeast Rice Lower Cholesterol
Studies have shown that certain red yeast rice products that contain statin can significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and specifically LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. One showed that taking 2.4 grams per day reduced LDL levels by 22% and total cholesterol by 16% in 12 weeks. Another study showed that taking 1.2 grams per day lowered LDL levels by 26% in just eight weeks.
However, the results of these studies depend on the amount of statin that is in the extract, and it can vary widely. The FDA considers extracts that contain statins to be illegal in the U.S., but many are still available.
Organic Heart Health Support
Using the power of natural food sources and an important co-enzyme for overall healthy, Koylic has created a unique formula to support your heart.
This dietary supplement harnesses the potential benefits of Red Yeast Rice and Aged Garlic – two foods that may have a positive impact on your heart. Plus, you’ll also find CoQ10 – an enzyme found in your heart and other organs.
Side Effects Of Taking Red Yeast Rice
The side effects of red yeast rice supplements may not be as adverse as those of prescription statin drugs. Statin side effects may include mild headaches, heartburn and upset stomach. Adverse side effects may include muscle pain, stomach upset, liver damage, liver inflammation, or increased blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes. As with any statin, red yeast rice may cause muscle pain and weakness however, research indicates less than 10% of people experience these side effects when taking red yeast rice.
While taking red yeast rice, limit alcohol due to increased risk of liver damage. Also, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the side effects when taking red yeast rice. I generally recommend 50-100 mg CoQ10 daily to reduce the risk of muscle aches that can be associated with red yeast rice, says Dr. Chapman. These side effects are generally rare and studies suggest red yeast is well-tolerated however, long-term safety studies have not been conducted. Inform your doctor if you experience any side effects.
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May Help Treat Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase your risk for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Some of the criteria for metabolic syndrome include high blood pressure, excess body fat, increased blood sugar, and alterations in cholesterol or triglyceride levels .
Several studies have found that red yeast rice may help treat some of these risk factors and could be used as a natural treatment to aid in their prevention .
One of its most well-documented effects is its ability to lower cholesterol. Research shows that it can effectively reduce both total and LDL cholesterol levels.
Another small, 18-week study found that a supplement containing red yeast rice was able to reduce blood sugar, insulin levels, and systolic blood pressure in people with metabolic syndrome .
Plus, an 8-week study looked at the effects of red yeast rice on mice fed a high fat diet compared with a control group. It found that red yeast rice was able to prevent increases in cholesterol levels and body weight .
How To Find And Use Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice supplements are extremely easy to find at your local health store or online. Any RYR supplement should be taken with food. It is also best taken with CoQ10 to prevent deficiency in CoQ10.
What about the best red yeast rice dosage? Most studies have used a standardized extract of 600 milligrams taken two to four each day so that can be 1,200 milligrams twice a day, which is equivalent to 600 milligrams four times per day or 2,400 milligrams per day. At least one study has shown that elderly individuals who took 1,200 milligrams of RYR every day for eight weeks did not have any major side effects.
The amount of monacolins in RYR supplements can differ since manufacturers can use various yeast strains and fermentation processes. Some research has shown that the amount of monacolin in RYR supplements can be anywhere from zero to 0.58 percent of the final product. This was just one study with different brands, but its still pretty interesting.
Red yeast rice reviews vary but often say that it only took some people with high cholesterol supplementing their diets with RYRE for a matter of months before they saw a significant decrease in their cholesterol numbers.
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What Are The Risks Of Red Yeast Rice
Studies have shown that side effects are mild, like headaches, heartburn, and upset stomach. Side effects from prescription lovastatin include elevation of liver enzymes and muscle enzymes, muscle problems, and liver problems.
But more research needs to be done before we can know about the long-term safety of red yeast rice extract. We do know that some types may be more dangerous than others because of high levels of other substances such as citrinic acid.
RYRE also shares some of the same risks as statins, the class of drugs containing lovastatin. Experts say that the risks of lovastatin would logically apply to RYRE — elevation of liver and muscle enzymes, muscle problems, and liver problems.
The extract may not be safe for everyone. You should not take it if you:
- Have kidney disease
- Protease inhibitors, used to treat HIV
People who have allergies to fungus or yeast should also be wary of using RYRE.
The extract may also interact with other drugs for blood pressure and thyroid problems and interact with other herbs and supplements you may be taking.
Whatever the state of your health, always talk to your doctor before you start using red yeast rice or any other supplement. Remember that not all brands are equal, and that RYRE isn’t safe for everyone. Though red yeast rice extract looks like a promising treatment, more research needs to be done. For now, you should be cautious.
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Capsules Solaray Red Yeast Rice Plus Q10
- It should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation.
- Its consumption is not recommended in people under 20 years of age.
- If you are taking any medication or follow a medical control, it is advisable to consult the Red Yeast Rice CoQ-10 with a professional.
- The recommended daily intake should not be exceeded.
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Interactions With Other Drugs
Red yeast rice supplements may interact with drugs and medication. Patients who are already taking any of the following medications should avoid taking the supplement at all costs to avoid any adverse reactions :
- Antifungal drugs
- Medication to treat HIV infections
It is always safest to take red yeast rice supplements under the supervision of a healthcare professional, especially patients who are already taking medication for other health conditions.
How Much Should I Spend On A Red Yeast Rice With Coq10
Ideally, a red yeast rice with coq10 is going to live with you for years. Paying more for your product will reward you every time you fast open the lid with increased your speed, better quality accuracy and a sweet view. Again, the average cost of a new red yeast rice with coq10 is between $$ and $$$. Sure, you get out on some luxury features.
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The Truth About 4 Popular Heart Health Supplements
Watching your cholesterol levels is a smart idea, especially since one inthree people have high levels of bad cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein. If youre facing an increased risk for high cholesterol and yourestruggling to manage it, you might consider reaching for supplements orother over-the-counter products. But you should think twice before you dothat, saysSeth Martin, M.D., M.H.S., Johns Hopkins cardiologist and co-director of the Advanced LipidDisorders Center.
Some people try supplements instead of prescription medications because they think its a safer way to address health issues, he says. But many of those supplements dont benefit the heart like people think.
Could Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to protect your body against acute infections and foreign invaders.
However, sustained inflammation is thought to contribute to chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease .
Studies show that supplementing with red yeast rice may help reduce inflammation and promote better health in the long term.
For example, a study in 50 people with metabolic syndrome showed that taking a supplement containing red yeast rice and olive extract for 8 weeks reduced levels of oxidative stress a key cause of chronic inflammation by up to 20 percent .
Similarly, one study found that giving red yeast extract to rats with kidney damage reduced levels of specific proteins involved in inflammation in the body .
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Which Coq10 Form Is Best
Coenzyme Q10 comes in two forms ubiquinone and ubiquinol.
Ubiquinone is the oxidized form of CoQ10. In order for your body to use it, it first must convert it to ubiquinol.
You can buy ubiquinol supplements but because the technology to make them is patented, theyre generally more expensive and fewer brands license this type.
The Japanese company Kaneka owns the intellectual property surrounding the manufacturing of ubiquinol. Rather than sell direct to consumers, Kaneka sells ubiquinol to supplement companies, who in turn, can use it in their products.
Supplements which combine CoQ10 with red fermented rice typically use the ubiquinone form, rather than ubiquinol.
Red yeast rice 1200 mg with CoQ10 30 mg is a dosage sold by Puritans Pride and The Vitamin Shoppe brand, among others. Many brands use a lower 600 mg dosage of the red yeast extract, such as Solaray and Natures Answer. NOW Foods adds a 3rd ingredient omega 3 EPA and DHA in their Omega Red product.
The problem with all of these supplements is that they are using ubiquinone and a low dosage at that 30-60 mg. While some contain 100 mg, thats far lower than the 200-300 mg daily that often recommended for CoQ10.
Even though it may be a hassle, your best bet is to take your CoQ10 supplement separately, so you can take the preferred form and in an adequate amount.
Red Yeast Rice With Coq10
Naturally supports healthy blood lipid levels and myocardial energy production
- Helps maintain cholesterol levels already within normal range
- Promotes blood vessel and circulatory health
- Protects heart tissue from oxidative stress
- Helps inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol
Patient One Red Yeast Rice with Coenzyme Q10 supplies 600mg of Monascus purpureus, a preparation made from a red-colored yeast grown on white rice grains, complemented with 50mg of the antioxidant Coenzyme Q10. Together they naturally promote healthy blood cholesterol levels and support healthy cardiovascular function.
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Dosage And How To Use
Red yeast rice is available in many formulations, such as an extract, capsule, or tablet. People can follow the instructions on the packaging as a guideline for dosage.
Some sources suggest that people can take 2001000 mg two or three times daily. However, it is more important for people to be conscious of the monacolin K content.
As the monacolin K content can vary significantly, many consumers may be of how much is present in red yeast rice products.
Furthermore, some
What Supplements Should Not Be Taken With Red Yeast Rice
Avoid using red yeast rice together with other herbal/health supplements that can harm your liver, such androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, and others. Grapefruit may interact with red yeast rice and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.11 oct.
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Does Red Yeast Rice Lower Cholesterol
Monacolin K, which is naturally found in red yeast rice, is the same active ingredient in the statin drug lovastatin . It works by inhibiting an enzyme that creates mevalonate, a required building block for cholesterol. Thats how it lowers LDL cholesterol.
The prescription drug lovastatin is typically prescribed in dosages ranging from 10 to 80 mg.
In 1998, the FDA banned Cholestin, which was an over-the-counter red yeast rice supplement illegally being marketed as a drug for lowering cholesterol. The U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the FDA in a 2001 ruling on the matter.
During the nearly two decades since, the FDA has continued to crack down on supplements if they contain any more than a trace amount of monacolin K. While many manufacturers abide by this, the amount they contain can vary immensely.
In 2017, the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published a study where they purchased 28 brands of red yeast rice supplements at major US chain stores such as Walmart, Walgreens, and GNC.
Each brand was then analyzed for its monacolin K content and here were the results:
There was over a 60-fold difference between the supplement with the lowest and highest monacolin K content.
Based on the supplements daily recommended dosage of red yeast rice, the user would be taking anywhere from 0.09 to 10.94 mg of monacolin K daily.
On the high end of the range, it would overlap with the amount found in a low dose lovastatin pill.
Why Take Coq10 With Red Yeast Rice
Because theyre both associated with cardiovascular health, some manufacturers combine both to make a single supplement. The main reason to take CoQ10 with red yeast rice, or a statin, is because monacolin K naturally depletes your CoQ10 production.
When it comes to statins, its not just the first-generation lovastatin which suppresses CoQ10. Because many statins work through the same mechanism by blocking certain enzymes involved with cholesterol biosynthesis this side effect occurs with most.
For example, simvastatin has been found to significantly decrease plasma CoQ10 levels.
Atorvastatin, better known as the brand name Lipitor, also causes a significant decrease after just 14 days of taking it.
Setting aside the controversy about the rice supplement for a moment, the biggest takeaway is that any source of monacolin K, as well as most statins, can dramatically lower your bodys natural CoQ10 production. This is why many cardiologists advise their patients to supplement with CoQ10.
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A Naturopathic Approach To Statins
Statin drugs are typically recommended and administered to patients with cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol, given their effectiveness in reducing these events. However, some patients cannot or choose not to take statin medications because of their side effects. One review among patients who could not tolerate daily statin medication use found a decrease in total cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol when taking red yeast rice. Some of my patients have had an increased interest in the role of nutraceuticals, such as red yeast rice, as a substitution for statins, explains Dr. Chapman. Red yeast rice is known to reduce serum cholesterol and has been advocated as an alternative therapy for hypercholesterolemic patients who refuse statin medication, cannot tolerate statin side effects or prefer a naturopathic approach. For these patients, I recommend consuming 1000-2000 mg of red yeast rice daily, but this will vary depending on physician recommendations, says Dr. Chapman.
In general, consuming 1000-2000 mg of red yeast rice daily can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 30-40 points. Keep in mind statin medications continue to be the primary recommendation for patients with elevated cholesterol and/or cardiovascular disease. Only 3-5% of patients have complete statin intolerance, and up to 95% of patients with statin-associated muscle symptoms can still use statin medication using the stepped approach of statin drug modification.
Red Yeast Rice For Cholesterol Control
How long should someone take red yeast rice extract? It has helped lower my cholesterol, but I dont know how long I have to take it and this information isnt on the label.ANDREW WEIL, M.D. |JANUARY 22, 2009INOf all the natural supplements available to help lower cholesterol, red yeast rice extracts are by far the most effective. Red yeast rice is a source of naturally occurring statins, the same class of prescription drugs used to lower and control cholesterol. Because red rice yeast extract delivers a mix of those compounds rather than a single type of molecule, it is much less likely to cause the side effects that sometimes occur with the pharmaceutical versions.If you need to lower your cholesterol, youll have to continue taking red rice yeast extract indefinitely. Youll also need to have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels monitored periodically by your physician and, if necessary, adjust your dosage. The same would be true if you were taking statins in order to lower your cholesterol and maintain it at healthier levels, you must continue taking the supplement or drug that works for you indefinitely. You should also know that these drugs inhibit the bodys natural synthesis of coenzyme Q10 , which is needed for optimum heart health and general health, so whether you take red rice yeast extract or statins, be sure to take 90 120 mg of CoQ10 every day.
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Red Yeast Rice: The Truth Behind This Controversial Cholesterol
The most well-known of red yeast rice benefits is by far its potential to lower cholesterol. Many people with high cholesterol turn to red yeast rice supplements to avoid the dangers of statins. These cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have been linked with some really concerning side effects, including memory loss, liver damage, muscle pain, high blood sugar, and even development of type 2 diabetes.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that supplementing with red yeast rice can lower overall as well as LDL cholesterol, aka bad cholesterol. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, benefits of red yeast rice also include improvements in circulation and digestion. Red yeast rice supplements are extremely popular so lets take a look at the possible benefits as well as the controversy surrounding this natural over-the-counter remedy.