Hi Len,
Here's a great article I found on red yeast rice and cholesterol.....<g> About midway down, I put in italics an interesting paragraph explaining that this substance is a source of mevinolin, a natural phytochemical indistinguishable from the synthetic drug, Lovastatin. Lovastatin has been sold by Merck as the prescription drug Mevacor since 1987.....
Red Yeast Rice
Latin name: Monascus purpureus
Other names: Hung-chu, Hong-Qu, Cholestin, Cardio Results, Herbalin Ruby Monascus
A Remedy For High cholesterol
Red Yeast Rice is commonly consumed in Asian countries as part of the traditional cuisine; in Peking Duck, for example. For centuries, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help maintain a healthy heart and circulatory system. Recent studies suggest there may be good reason. Research has shown that if taken along with a healthy low-cholesterol diet and regular exercise, Red Yeast Rice can reduce cholesterol levels in people with mild to moderately high cholesterol.
With patients receiving 1200 mg per day of red yeast rice supplements, Chinese researchers have shown that in as little as 4 weeks, total cholesterol was reduced by as much as 17%, while triglycerides were reduced by 20%.6 After 8 weeks, the reductions were 23% and 34%, respectively. In addition, HDL levels rose during the treatment - by 13% after 4 weeks and by 20% after 8 weeks. Red yeast rice clearly contributes to heart health in more ways than one.
What It Is; Why It Works
Red Yeast Rice (monascus purpureus Went) is made, quite simply, by fermenting red yeast on rice. A special process is used to isolate a higher concentration of the natural ingredient mevinolin. This substance is similar to the "statin" drugs, such as Zocor, Pravachol, and Lipitor, that doctors prescribe for high cholesterol. An extract of mevinolin, however, can be purchased without a prescription as an over-the-counter dietary supplement.
Everyone's body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly. The substance is found in cell membranes and helps the body make use of hormones. But if too much cholesterol gets into the system, it accumulates as fatty deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. The liver produces about 80 percent of the cholesterol we need, with the other 20 percent coming from food sources. Red Yeast Rice (and "statin" drugs) block the action of an enzyme in the liver that triggers cholesterol production. It is also speculated that the unsaturated fatty acids in Red Yeast Rice could contribute to its beneficial effects.
Avoid If...
In very high doses, the mevinolin in Red Yeast Rice has been known to damage the liver. Do not take it if you have liver disease, are in danger of developing it, or consume more than two alcoholic beverages a day.
Special Cautions
It's best to stop using Red Yeast Rice during a serious infection. Avoid it, too, after major surgery. If you develop any muscle pain or tenderness, discontinue the product immediately and check with your doctor.
Possible Drug Interactions
Do not combine Red Yeast Rice with prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Because generous supplies of cholesterol are needed by a developing baby, you should strictly avoid Red Yeast Rice during pregnancy. It should also be avoided while breastfeeding.
How To Prepare
Red Yeast Rice is prepared commercially in capsule form.
Typical Dosage
Red Yeast Rice is supplied in capsules of varying size. The typical dosage recommendation is 1,200 milligrams daily divided into two doses. Do not exceed 2,400 milligrams daily. Take with food to reduce the risk of digestive disturbance.
Overdosage
No information on overdosage is available.
CHOLESTERIN RED YEAST RICE SUPPLEMENT
Chinese red yeast rice is a source of mevinolin, a natural phytochemical
indistinguishable from the synthetic drug, Lovastatin. Lovastatin has been
sold by Merck as the prescription drug Mevacor since 1987.
Chinese red yeast rice with mevinolin may protect against high triglyceride
and LDL levels by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol. This benefit
goes significantly beyond the management of dietary fats and oils, by
providing moderation of the body's production of cholesterol. In addition,
Chinese red yeast rice contains other natural phytochemicals, such as
betasitosterol, stigmasterol, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fatty acids
which provide greater cholesterol reducing activity than Lovastatin therapy
alone.
STUDIES SHOW THAT THE UNNATURAL STATINS INHIBIT COENZYME Q 10
SYNTHETIC STATINS ARE TOXIC TO THE LIVER
Chinese red yeast rice is the product of rice on which red yeast (Monascus
purpureus) has been fermented. It is known to have been in dietary and
medicinal use in China since the Tang Dynasty, during the 9th century A.D.
Its uses include the production of rice wine, as a food preservative for
fish and meat, and as a traditional medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) characterizes Chinese red yeast rice as a benign, effective remedy
which improves the circulation.
A number of animal and human studies conducted in China since 1995 have
found that Chinese red yeast rice consumption reduces blood cholesterol
levels in a range of 11-32% and triglycerides 12-19%. A study conducted at
UCLA and published in the February 1999 American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, found that test subjects who received 2400 mg daily of red yeast
rice had a significant reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL
cholesterol after 8 weeks of treatment, as compared to placebo. Researchers
observed no adverse effects in test subjects and found no changes in liver
and renal function tests, which were conducted before and after the study.
Atrium Chole-sterin provides 600 mg per capsule of red yeast rice.
We prefer this dosage to the 750 mg. dosage which can, like the unnatural
statins, stress the liver. Each Capsule contains: Red Yeast Rice 600 mg
Contains no wheat, sugar, starch , corn, salt, dairy or soy, and no
artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific
studies): Since 800 AD, red yeast rice has been employed by the Chinese as
both a food and a medicinal agent. Its therapeutic benefits as both a
promoter of blood circulation and a digestive stimulant were first noted in
the traditional Chinese pharmacopeia, Ben Cao Gang Mu-Dan Shi Bu Yi, during
the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).2 Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine
utilize red yeast rice to treat abdominal pain due to stagnant blood and
dysentery, as well as external and internal trauma.3 In addition to its
therapeutic applications, red yeast rice has been used for centuries as a
flavor enhancer, a food preservative, and a base for a Taiwanese alcoholic
rice-wine beverage.4 5
Active constituents: In addition to rice starch, protein, fiber, sterols,
and fatty acids, red yeast rice contains numerous active constituents,
including monacolin K, dihydromoncolin, and monacolin I to VI.
Researchers have determined that one of the ingredients in red yeast rice,
called monacolin K, inhibits the production of cholesterol by stopping the
action of a key enzyme in the liver (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase) that is
responsible for manufacturing cholesterol.6 The drug lovastatin (Mevacor®)
acts in a similar fashion to this red yeast rice ingredient. However, the
amount per volume of monacolin K in red yeast rice is small (0.2% per 5 mg)
when compared to the 20-40 mg of lovastatin available as a prescription
drug.7 This has prompted researchers to suggest that red yeast rice may have
other ingredients, such as sterols, that may also contribute to lowering
cholesterol.
Along with its evaluation in animal trials,8 red yeast rice has been
clinically investigated as a therapy for reducing cholesterol in two human
trials. In one study, both men and women taking 1.2 g (approximately 5 mg
total monacolins) of red yeast rice per day for two months had significant
decreases in serum cholesterol levels.9 In addition, persons taking red
yeast rice had a significant increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol and a
decrease in LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Elevated triglycerides were also found
to be lowered.
Similar to the preceding study, a more carefully controlled trial at the
UCLA School of Medicine determined that red yeast rice in the amount of 2.4
grams per day (approximately 10 mg total monacolins) in capsules
significantly decreased total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol levels in
83 individuals with elevated cholesterol after 12 weeks of therapy. However,
unlike the original study, HDL values did not increase substantially when
compared to the control group.10
How much should I take? Red yeast rice is commercially available in capsules
and should be taken in the amount of 1.2-2.4 grams (5-10 mg monacolins) per
day in divided doses for a trial period of up to 12 weeks.11 12 If
successful after this period of time, it may be used for long-term
management of high cholesterol.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Red yeast rice is generally well
tolerated with possible temporary mild side effects such as heartburn, gas,
and dizziness.13 This product should not to be used by individuals with
liver disorders14 and its safety during pregnancy has not been established.
As in the case of medications that inhibit HMG-CoA, it is advisable that
persons using red yeast rice products also supplement 30-60 mg of coenzyme
Q10 daily.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with red
yeast rice.
Within Healthnotes Online, information about the effects of a particular
supplement or herb on a particular condition has been qualified in terms of
the methodology or source of supporting data (for example: clinical, double
blind, meta-analysis, or traditional use). For the convenience of the
reader, the information in the table listing the supplements for particular
conditions is also categorized. The criteria for the categorizations are:
"Primary" indicates there are reliable and relatively consistent scientific
data showing a health benefit. "Secondary" indicates there are conflicting,
insufficient, or only preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or
that the health benefit is minimal. "Other" indicates that an herb is
primarily supported by traditional use or that the herb or supplement has
little scientific support and/or minimal proven health benefit.
References:
1. Burnham TH, Sjweain SL, Short RM, eds. Monascus. In: The Review of
Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1997.
2. Burnham TH, Sjweain SL, Short RM, eds. Monascus. In: The Review of
Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1997.
3. Hsu Hong-Yen. Oriental Materia Medica. Long Beach, CA: Oriental Healing
Arts Institute, 1986:731-2.
4. Burnham TH, Sjweain SL, Short RM, eds. Monascus. In: The Review of
Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1997.
5. Hsu Hong-Yen. Oriental Materia Medica. Long Beach, CA: Oriental Healing
Arts Institute, 1986:731-2.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Li C, Zhu Y, Wang Y, et al. Monascus purpureus-fermented rice (red yeast
rice): a natural food product that lowers blood cholesterol in animal models
of hypercholesterolemia. Nutr Res 1998;18:71-81.
9. Wang J, Lu Z, Chi J, et al. Multicenter clinical trial of the serum
lipid-lowering effects of a Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation
from traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Ther Res 1997;58:964-77.
10. 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.
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.
12. Wang J, Lu Z, Chi J, et al. Multicenter clinical trial of the serum
lipid-lowering effects of a Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation
from traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Ther Res 1997;58:964-77.
13. Wang J, Lu Z, Chi J, et al. Multicenter clinical trial of the serum
lipid-lowering effects of a Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation
from traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Ther Res 1997;58:964-77.
14. Burnham TH, Sjweain SL, Short RM, eds. Monascus. In: The Review of
Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1997.
GZ |
