Red Yeast Rice for High Cholesterol

Updated on March 03, 2008
N.B. asks from Plainfield, IL
5 answers

I have a history of high cholesterol and it runs in my family. I had it checked last week and it was quite elevated. My doctor has started me on Red Yeast Rice before jumping to a prescription due to the unpleasant side effects they have. Has anyone taken this before for high cholesterol and did it work?

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

Dear N.,

I have not taken red yeast rice before so I can't directly answer your question. However, I would highly recommend a book called "The 8-week Cholesterol Cure" by Robert Kowalski. I, too, have high cholesterol, and by following the recomendations in this book and exercising a very small amount (just walking a bit more) I dropped my total cholesterol from a very high 230 to a very low 130 and raised my hdg significantly, but I forget now what the number was. All was accomplished within 6 months. I would advise that you try to educate yourself about diet and vitamin treatments before going on prescription medicine. Prescriptions are great for people who really need them -- I'm not anti-medicine, but something like cholesterol treatment is an on-going, never-ending process, so you would be on the medication forever. Also, that gets expensive! I will tell you that the author suggests taking niacin, a B vitamin, as part of his regimin. Lots of people experience a side-effect of this called "niacin flushing" which is something like a hot-flash: flushed cheeks, warm feeling, sometimes accompanied by racing heart. However, I found that I did not need to take much niacin at all to experience dramatic cholesterol-lowering results. I started with a good b-vitamin supplement that contained 50 mg of niacin with no side-effects. After 1 month I switched up to one pill (250 mg) of the slow-release product recommended with the book. I had very few hot-flashes and lots of fantastic benefits. The author also recommends using phyto-sterols to block cholesterol absorbtion. You can find phyto-sterols in certain margarine products like benecol or smart balance, and I've even seen some yogurt-smoothie type products recently that have them. Or, you can buy a pill to eat prior to meals. Either way is proven to work by the fda, that's why they are included in the margarine products. This, plus a little more fiber and a little exercise will do wonders! I cannot recommend this book enough -- I give it to all my friends when they complain about high cholesterol. Good luck!

Okay -- I'm back. Since my book was right here, I looked up red yeast rice. The author has a couple of paragraphs, so here they are:

"For decades, if not centuries, Chinese herbalists have used the yeast grown on red rice for heart health...as is the case with many, but not all, herbal therapies, this one really works. Chemical analysis reveals that red rice yeast yields lovastatin, the active ingredient in Mevacor. This is a lower-potency natural source of the prescription drug. It is marketed as Cholestin and is available in drug and health food stores. You can expect about a 10% cholesterol reduction with daily use as directed on the package." It also says you should have blood tests to check liver function, and if its a choice between this and niacin, to take niacin instead.

Sorry for the incredibly long post, I get carried away.

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H.S.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, my husband was on it for awhile. After a lot of research we went with the Nature's Plus 600 mg extended release. My husband took it, CQ10, did Body For Life and in 3 mths, his cholesterol had dropped 90 points. When he stopped everything the next 3 mths it skyrocketed back up. The second time he tried it, I don't believe it worked b/c he took it in the morning. We later learned from the doctor that all cholesterol meds have to be taken at night since that is when the body works on breaking down cholesterol. So take it at night! I hope this helps.

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L.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi N.,
I myself do not have high cholesterol but I do work with people who have it and many have been able to lower theirs naturally by simply including apple cider vinegar as part of their diet. I think you can do some research on the internet. Good luck!

K.L.

answers from Chicago on

I'm REALLY impressed that your doctor recommended an alternative dietary change rather than a prescription. Your health is obviously more important to him than his bottom line! I don't have any info but I just had to say that. That's so rare and cool! Who is your doc if you don't mind my asking? Take care!

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A.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have not tried Red Yeast Rice, however I did read that several years ago the FDA required Pharmanex to pull their Red Yeast Rice product off the market because it was a "drug". I believe that they were quashing all those products. It would be something to talk to your doctor about. A more natural approach to cholesterol management would be to take Cholesterol Regulation Complex, it can help you retain normal cholesterol levels, along with a low-fat diet and exercise. Its blend of natural ingredients includes a unique compound that inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol and has been shown to increase HDL ("good") cholesterol. And, Cholesterol Regulation Complex does not interrupt the production of coenzyme Q10, a nutrient important to heart health that helps cells produce energy. There is a PDF and more information at: http://www.shaklee.net/kaat_owens/product/20648
Garlic Complex complements the Cholesterol Regulation Complex. Studies show that garlic promotes cardiovascular health by helping to retain normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. More information on Garlic Complex: http://www.shaklee.net/kaat_owens/product/20084

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