The findings from one small study suggest that red yeast rice supplements may be a cholesterol-lowering alternative for people who’ve suffered one of the most common statin side effects — muscle pain.
The news isn’t entirely new. Other studies have also suggested that red yeast rice can lower cholesterol. Yet, people with heart disease shouldn’t stop their statin medications and start the supplement without talking with their doctors.
There’s more medical studies to support the use of statins, and some supplements can be dangerous if not used appropriately.
Red yeast rice is available over the counter. It’s produced by fermenting red yeast over rice, and the supplement contains monacolins, statin-like compounds.
Researchers, who reported study results in American Journal of Cardiology, found that most people in the study who discontinued statins because of muscle pain were able to use red yeast rice or Pravachol (pravastatin), a cholesterol drug, for several weeks without muscle pain.
Just one of 21 patients taking red yeast rice for the study stopped due to muscle pain, and only two of 22 patients on pravastatin stopped.
For study participants taking red yeast rice, LDL levels fell by an average of 30%. Those who took pravastatin experienced a 27% drop in LDL. Lifestyle changes were also implemented to help lower cholesterol.
A recent CNN article on the red yeast rice study, warns that red yeast rice bought over the counter can contain widely varying potency among different manufacturers, and some brands of the supplements have even been found to contain a potentially toxic substance.
(Image via creative commons Wikipedia/Life of Learning)
Post from: Blisstree