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Every single year, there are millions of people who die to complications associated with heart disease. Many different factors contribute to this health condition and these often include high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, genetics and smoking. Individuals who have more than one of these risk factors have a much higher chance of having health problems associated with cardiovascular disease. There are ways to reduce or eliminate these cardiovascular disease risks by changing their lifestyles, diet and taking medications.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body needs to work effectively. It is needed in different processes and also for the production for hormones and cell membranes. The body needs certain levels of cholesterol, however too much can be unhealthy and pose a risk to the healthy functioning of the body. The majority of cholesterol that the body need is created by the liver. The amount of cholesterol that is needed in the body is controlled by a very special enzyme that is known as HMG-CoA reductase.

Clinical trials that have been conducted have shown that red yeast rice as well as guggulipids are able to reduce total cholesterol.

In the past, red yeast rice has been shown to greatly improve the overall circulation of the blood in the body. It was only noticed it in recent years, that red yeast rice was shown to be effective at reducing high cholesterol levels. The supplement, red yeast rice, is created by fermenting special yeast called Monascus purpureus over rice. One of the main benefits of this special product is that it contains lovastatins which is also found in statin medications that is used to treat cholesterol. Statins work by being able to block a special enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, that is required by the liver to convert cholesterol.

Research studies that were done to show the link between cholesterol and red yeast rice have shown that people who took the supplements saw a great reduction in the overall level of their cholesterol. This 8 week trial was done using two random groups. One group was given a placebo, while the other was given a small dosage of red yeast rice. Once the study was completed, the researchers observed that the individuals who took the red yeast rice supplement saw a reduction in the LDL cholesterol levels. The ones who took the placebo saw very little to no change.

There are often minor problem some side effects that are associated with the use of the red yeast rice supplement. Minor side effects often include bloating, dizziness, headaches, heartburn and flatulence. People should be aware that there have been no long term studies done to show how red yeast rice affects the body of a long period of time. If individuals are considering taking the supplement to reduce their cholesterol, they should first consult with their doctor.

Who Red yeast rice is a supplement that people often use to help reduce their cholesterol levels. The product requires a special type of red yeast (Monascus purpureus) that is fermented over rice. The supplement contains monacolins,especially one known as lovastatin. Lovastatin is a very popular statin drug that is prescribed by doctors to help reduce the levels of cholesterol. Many people are turning to the supplement as they have the same effects as statins, without the side effects.

There are many different benefits associated with taking red yeast rice, however it should be noted that the product adds to rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is basically the destruction or death of the skeletal muscle. This is a well known side effect of statin drugs and it is very common in people who have had renal transplants.

The red yeast rice supplement has some of the same side effects like many of the widely used statin drugs. Research studies done on lab mice show that if given large quantities of red yeast rice, there was a rapid reduction in the levels of their coenzyme Q10.

Finally many of the red yeast rice products that were tested show that it contains Citrinin. Citrinin is a fungal metabolite that is very toxic.

People who take the red yeast rice supplement should look at warning that was issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The warning states that there are 3 different types of products that consumers should avoid as they contain ingredients that could be harmful to a person’s health. The red yeast rice products in question are a supplement that has the ability to reduce high cholesterol.

The red yeast rice products that the FDA says that people should stay away from are Cholestrix that is created by Sunburst Biorganics, Red Yeast Rice Policosonal Complex created by Kabco Inc and Red Yeast Rice sold by Swanson Healthcare Products . According to tests done by the FDA, these products often contained lovastatin, a common ingredient in statin medications that are used to help lower high cholesterol levels.

The FDA is against these particular supplements as they contain lovastatin, a drug that can cause kidney problems and muscle issues. The red yeast rice can also interact with drugs to treat fungus infections, HIV and a host of other drugs. It can also interfere with statin drugs that are used to reduce cholesterol.

The FDA issues statements to these companies that told them to remove all these products for consumer shelves, until their formulation has been changed. The FDA also has within their power the ability to seize these products that do not comply.