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Red Yeast RiceIn research, the rice has been found to contain substances that are similar to prescription medications that lower cholesterol. The way this works, is that the rice yeast, called Monascus purpureus, inhibits the action of a body enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is associated with raised cholesterol levels which, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease. In research done by the UCLA School of Medicine on people with high cholesterol levels, those who had the rice in their diet over a 12-week period experienced a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides, compared to placebo receiving control group. In another trial that lasted 8-weeks and involved 446 people with high cholesterol levels, those who received red yeast rice had a significant drop in cholesterol levels compared to those who received placebo. In the study, the total cholesterol fell by 22.7%, LDL by 31%, and triglycerides by 34% in the red yeast rice group. Also, HDL ("good") cholesterol increased by 20% in the group that received the active rice. Red Yeast Rice - StudiesBonovich, K, Colfer H, Davidson M, Dujovne C, Greenspan M, Karlberg R, et al. A Multi-Center, Self-Controlled Study of Cholestin In Subjects With Elevated Cholesterol. American Heart Association. 39th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Orlando, Fl. March 1999. [Abstract] Havel R. Dietary supplement or drug? The case of cholestin. Am J Clin Nut.r 1999;69(2):175-176. Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, Elashoff DA, Go VLW. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:231-236. INPR The Institute for Natural Products Research [resource on World Wide Web]. URL: http://www.natural products.org. Available from Internet. Accessed 2001 Feb 6. Kuhn M, Winston D. Herbal Therapy and Supplements, A Scientific and Traditional Approach. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2001. Li C, Li Y, Hou Z. Toxicity study for Monascus purpureus (red yeast) extract. Information of the Chinese Pharmacology Society. 1995;12 (4):12 [Translation] Li C, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Zhu J, Chang J, Kritchevsky D. Monascus Purpureus-Fermented Rice (Red Yeast Rice): A natural food product that lowers blood cholesterol In animal models of hypercholesterolemia. Nutrition Research. 1998;18(1):71-81. Ma J, Li Y, Ye Q, Li J, Hua Y, Ju D, et al. Constituents of red yeast rice, a traditional Chinese food and medicine. J Agric Food Chem. 2000;48:5220-5225. Pharmanex. Cholestin Healthcare Professional Product Guide. Updated 6/2000. Qin S, Zhang W, Qi P, Zhao M, Dong Z, Li Y , et al. Elderly patients with primary hyperlipidemia benefited from treatment with a Monacus purpureus rice preparation: A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. American Heart Association. 39th Annual conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Orlando, Fl. March 1999. [Abstract] Wang J, Lu Z, Chi J, Wang W, Su M, Kou W, et al. Multicenter clinical trial of serum lipid-lowering effects of a Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation from traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Ther Res. 1997;58(12):964-978.
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