When people have high cholesterol levels, many doctors will put them on prescription statin (Cholesterol lowering) drugs such as Zocor and Lipitor. These drugs have been proven to hinder the production of cholesterol.
Even though statins have been proven to be effective, there are still negative side effects that accompany them. Because of those risks, many people turn to supplements like Red Yeast Rice, to reduce their cholesterol naturally.
Below are questions and answers related to the Red Yeast Rice Supplement.
Q: Is there a way to naturally reduce cholesterol?
A: The answer to the question is yes. There are many steps that an individual can take if they want to reduce your cholesterol naturally. People can start by reducing the amount of calories that they eat on a daily basis. For individuals who are overweight, it is important that they maintain a healthy body weight.
Other natural ways to reduce cholesterol include quitting smoking and increasing the amount of fiber that is taken every day. There are also natural supplements that can help to moderate high cholesterol, one of which is Chinese red yeast rice.
Q: What is Chinese Red Yeast Rice?
A: Red yeast rice is a special type of rice that has red yeast growing on it. This has been used in China for over 500 years as a type of spice. The yeast that is found on the rice contains monocolins which have been shown to reduce cholesterol. Monocolins are able to do this by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the liver. This is similar to some of the prescription statin drugs such as Lipitor.
Q: How is Red Yeast Rice Taken?
A: When used in food, Red Yeast Rice is used by the Chinese to flavor various meat dishes. Individuals who are looking at consuming it can either add it to their cooking or by taking supplement capsules.
Q: Have There Been Studies on Red Yeast Rice?
A: Red Yeast Rice has been studied extensively in China and the rest of the world. UCLA did a study which was published in the February 1999 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Q: How Effective is Red Yeast Rice?
A: Red yeast rice has been shown to be very effective when it comes to the reduction of cholesterol. There have been many different studies conducted that have shown the effects of taking this natural supplement. The effects are almost similar to stating drugs such as Lovastatin.
Q: What are the side effects of Red Yeast Rice?
A: Red Yeast Rice is relatively safe, however, it does carry some warnings with it. The same warnings that apply to the cholesterol lowering drugs, also apply to the supplement. Generally it should not be taken by women who are pregnant, children or people who suffer from liver disease.
Q: Is it Recommended to take Red Yeast Rice instead of Prescription Medication?
A: We recommend that if you have high levels of cholesterol, that you continue taking your medications. The red yeast rice supplement is more geared towards people who have moderate levels of high cholesterol or individuals who have negative side effects to statin drugs. It should be noted that these supplements have not been approved by the FDA, so it is best to go with the more proven medications.
Q: Where can I get Red Yeast Rice, and what is the price?
A: Red Yeast Rice supplements can be purchased at most health food stores. There are also many different websites that sell these supplements. Generally a 2 week supply will often cost under $20.00