Red Yeast Rice – The Supplement That Efficiently Lowers Cholesterol

Used in Chinese food for a long time as a preservative, food colouring and a spice, Red yeast rice has been found to lower cholesterol levels in patients significantly, if administered in controlled dosages. The Chinese use it as an integral part of their... More

Used in Chinese food for a long time as a preservative, food colouring and a spice, Red yeast rice has been found to lower cholesterol levels in patients significantly, if administered in controlled dosages. The Chinese use it as an integral part of their cuisine. It gives Peking duck its red hue and it is an important ingredient in fish sauce, fish paste and rice wine. The company Pharmanex has found scientific proof and ways by which significant lowering can be seen in cholesterol levels of the patients. The active ingredient in red yeast rice is ‘Lovastatin’, a naturally present monocolin. All monocolins, particularly lovastatin are believed to inhibit the cholesterol triggering enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, when they get converted in the body on ingestion. Naturally occurring Lovastatin present in red yeast rice is at very low levels compared to the Lovastatin found in prescription statin drugs like Mevacor, Zocor, Lipitor and Crestor. As such, the side effects from red yeast ri Less