Clinical Studies Document Red Yeast Rice

120 Capsules  |  240 Capsules

Red Yeast Rice

Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Red yeast rice has been used in China for centuries as both a food and as a medicinal substance. Recently, it has been discovered that red yeast rice contains substances similar to prescription medications that lower cholesterol. Red yeast rice contains the botanical Monascus purpureus.

  • Red Yeast Rice is a bright purplish fermented rice used for centuries in China†
  • Red Yeast Rice contains mevinolin, a naturally-occurring statin†
  • Red Yeast Rice helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and promotes blood circulation for cardiovascular health

Red yeast rice appears to act in much the same way as prescription Statin drugs. This unfortunately means it can cause the same side effects. To date, studies have not specifically investigated the safety of red yeast rice in elderly people. However, elderly patients taking 1,200 mg per day of red yeast rice in an 8-week trial experienced no significant side effects. †

Read Studies >

You Tube Video:  "Red Yeast Rice, Natural Cholesterol Remedy?"


Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Powder, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica.  Suggested Use: for adults, take two (2) capsules once or twice daily, with food, or as directed by your health care provider.
FREE OF: wheat, milk or milk derivatives, lactose sugar, preservatives,
artificial flavor, sodium (less than 5 mg per serving).

Red Yeast Rice 120 Capsules $22.95

Red Yeast Rice

240 caps

Additional recommendation: Concurrently, one 60 mg softgel of CoEnzymeQ10 twice per day is strongly recommended to avoid depletion of this important antioxidant used by the heart and other tissues to protect cells from free radical damage.

 Supplement Facts

Serving Size 2  capsules

Servings per Container: 120

Amount Per Serving   %DV

Red Yeast Rice Powder (Monascus purpureus)

1,200 mg
(1.2 g)

*

* Daily Value (DV) Not Established.

Other Ingredients: Rice powder, gelatin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica.
Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules once a day, or as directed by a health care practitioner

Red Yeast Rice 240 Capsules $36.95

 

Research Studies

Research studies have shown red yeast rice extract to be remarkably safe, but it should not be taken in addition to Statin-type cholesterol-lowering medications. It can, however be combined with niacin supplements for additional cholesterol-lowering effects.

Red yeast rice has been shown to effectively lower cholesterol and triglycerides in people with moderately elevated levels of these blood lipids.11

Individuals with moderately elevated cholesterol levels (200 to 239 mg/dl) may benefit from a dietary supplement such as red yeast rice extract. However, those with very high cholesterol levels (240 mg/dl or above) are at considerable risk for heart disease and should stick to prescription drugs with a proven ability to rapidly and effectively reduce cholesterol level.†

Studies supporting the effectiveness of red yeast rice:

In December of 2005 the UCLA School of Medicine conducted a study involving 83 people with high cholesterol levels. Those who received red yeast rice over a 12-week period experienced a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides (fatty substances that can also accumulate in the blood stream and cause damage to blood vessels) compared to those who received placebo. HDL (good) cholesterol did not change in either group during the study.

Two studies involving red yeast rice were presented at the American Heart Association's 39th Annual conference in 1999. The first study, involving 187 people with mild to moderate elevations in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol revealed that treatment with red yeast rice reduced total cholesterol by more than 16%. LDL cholesterol by 21%, and triglycerides by 24%. HDL cholesterol also increased by 14%. In the second study, elderly participants who were given red yeast rice experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to those who received placebo. Both studies treated the participants with the supplement or placebo for 8 weeks.

In another 8-week trial involving 446 people with high cholesterol levels, those who received red yeast rice experienced a significant drop in cholesterol levels compared to those who received placebo. Total cholesterol fell by 22.7 %, LDL by 31%, and triglycerides by 34% in the red yeast rice group. HDL cholesterol increased by 20% in the red yeast rice group as well.

Precautions

• Take red yeast rice with food to reduce the risk of digestive upset
• Red Yeast Rice should not be taken with cholesterol prescription (statin) medication such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cerivastatin, because it may enhance the effect of these medications, thereby increasing the risk of lever damage.
• When grapefruit or grapefruit juice is taken with statins, it enhances the effects of the medications and can cause significant increases of drug levels in the blood. Because Red Yeast Rice appears to act in much the same way as statin drugs, it would be wise to avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit or grapefruit products such as marmalade while taking Red Yeast Rice.
• Do not take red yeast rice if you are under age 20.
• Those who consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day, have a serious infection, physical disorder, or have undergone an organ transplant are advised to avoid red yeast rice.
• The safety of red yeast rice during pregnancy and breast-feeding has not been evaluated. Until further information is available, it should be avoided in these cases.
• Side effects of Red Yeast Rice are rare but can include headache, stomach ache and/or bloating, gas, dizziness, and heartburn.

Source:
11. Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:231–6.

†Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.Statements are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.