Red Yeast Rice Benefits and Precautions
Red yeast rice has been used in China since the 7th century AD as both a food and medicinal nutrient. Its therapeutic benefits as both a promoter of blood circulation and a digestive stimulant were first noted in the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopoeia.
Red yeast rice is a by-product of cooked rice on which red yeast has been grown. The rice is then dried, powdered and used medicinally.
The effectiveness of red yeast rice in lowering cholesterol is backed by reliable and relatively consistent scientific data as well as centuries of use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Red yeast rice has been used with success to treat the following conditions:
*high cholesterol
*high triglycerides
Red Yeast Rice Controversy
In recent years, the FDA has pulled some red yeast rice products from the market for safety reasons. The controversy seems to be around the issue using “standardized extracts” in supposedly natural, non-prescription products. Standardization of herbs involves isolating the active ingredient and using the isolated extract in nutritional supplements.
Concerning red yeast rice, the FDA has determined that the standardized extract is very similar to statin drugs in action and potential side effects. This is supposedly the reason for the “pulling” of some red yeast rice products.
Statin Drugs vs. Natural Alternatives
Statin drugs have been used for some years to treat high cholesterol. The use of these drugs has been accelerated thanks to massive advertising and the downward adjustment of recommended safe cholesterol levels. Patients are normally advised to take these drugs for the rest of their lives, making statins the most profitable group of drugs ever developed.
Estimates are that 30 million people are currently taking statin medications for high cholesterol. The most popular of these being Crestor, Lipitor and Zocor. Around 20% of people taking statin drugs have to stop because of debilitating muscle pain (myalgia) or other side effects.
The liver risks of statin drugs have been well documented, as have aching muscle pain and sexual dysfunction problems including reports of impotence while the drug is being ingested. Recent research in Switzerland also indicates that statin drugs can suppress your immune system.
There is concern that similar side effects are possible with red yeast rice supplements made with standardized extracts.
Many people when confronted with these facts take the attitude that the side effect risks are worth it for the benefits that accrue from the use of these drugs… and besides there is no natural alternative!
BUT, there are Natural Alternatives…
Red Yeast rice or Policosonol
Even though red yeast rice has been withdrawn, you can still find it being sold on the internet. However, we advise against its use because of the potential side effects discussed above.
For us, choosing between red yeast rice or policosonol is a no brainer. Policosonol has been shown in many clinical studies to be effective for lowering cholesterol and has been used by thousands of people around the world.
Policosonol is a natural extract from sugar cane.
Another natural substance that isn’t discussed much in the Western world is guggulipid, which has been used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years for treating high cholesterol (and obesity).
Guggulipid comes from the Myrhh tree, which is native to India.
Featured Product
One of the best cholesterol reducing formulas we have found is produced by Xtend-Life Natural Products, and contains both policosanol and guggulipid (in addition to many other proven cholesterol lowering nutrients).
As long time consumers and researchers of nutritional supplements ourselves, we know that high quality products must be produced at pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities and the ingredients verified with a certificate of analysis to confirm potency.
Also, they must follow the guidelines of the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA). Xtend-Life exceeds these requirements.
After having taken dozens of different brands over the years and researching supplements in depth, we believe they are among the best on the market.
For us, it makes no sense to choose between red yeast rice or policosonol when you can just use polocosonol, guggilipid, and other natural nutrients that will not produce potentially harmful side effects.
If you want a natural, safe way to lower your cholesterol, you may want to have a look at Xtend-Life’s Natural Cholesterol Lowering Formula
.
