Do you need to lower your cholesterol levels? Has your doctor recommended that you look at taking statins or other cholesterol lowering medications or supplements? One of the most effective supplements that have been thoroughly studied under clinical conditions is red rice yeast. This yeast is typically used as a food additive or even as a food coloring agent, but it can be an effective medicine as well when extracted from rice and fermented properly.
Why Choose To Take Red Rice Yeast?
It’s all about the cholesterol numbers, and particularly the bad cholesterol numbers that someone may have. Red rice yeast directly affects the LDL cholesterol that people have thanks to monacolin K, which is one of the main components of the supplements. Monacolin K is very similar to the active ingredients that can be found in a class of prescription drugs that are called statins.
Is red rice yeast as effective as prescription medication? Not necessarily. It is thought to be beneficial, however, for people who could benefit from a slight reduction in their bad cholesterol levels or are sensitive to the higher levels of the chemical compounds that can be found in prescription drugs. With a low overall risk of side effects and affordable dosing regimens, red rice yeast is a simple, easy way to lower heart disease risks.
It works because the supplement helps to block the action of a chemical in the liver that is necessary to make cholesterol. Red rice yeast, when containing monacolin K, can inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and this slows the cholesterol production process.
Does Red Rice Help Other Conditions?
There are some traditional uses of red rice yeast that may or may not help people. It is important to note that these specific benefits have not been tested in any scientific setting.
Reduction of swelling. Red rice yeast is thought to have some anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce swelling that is caused by a number of conditions.
Digestion issues. Red rice has traditionally been taken to ease with digestion problems and is thought to reduce problematic diarrhea when it occurs as well.
Treating cuts and wounds. When applied to a cut or a wound, it is thought that red rice yeast can help to cleanse the area to prevent an infection from setting in.
Sometimes red rice yeast is also taken as a cancer treatment and there are a number of other conditions that may or may not be helped by this supplement. Before adding it to your diet or treatment plan, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Because there may be statin chemical compounds within the supplement, taking it may cause interference issues with other medications. This is particularly true with certain antibiotics and antifungal drugs. It may also interfere with protease inhibitors. Avoid alcohol when taking red rice yeast as it may increase the chances of a dangerous side effect involving the liver. Avoiding grapefruits is also recommended.
When taken properly, red rice yeast can act quickly to lower cholesterol levels. By knowing how and why it works, you can speak with your doctor about adding it to your treatment plan.