Red Yeast--New Superfood to
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May 1, 2010
By The Editorial Staff of CollectiveWizdom, Katrina Devine,
Contributing Columnist and Susan Callahan, Health Editor
Red yeast rice may be the new superfood in our quest to
lower high cholesterol. Red yeast rice is not actually a "new"
food. The Chinese have known about it for over 1200 years
and it is commonly used in China as a staple food.
Red yeast rice is believed to be as effective as
pharmaceutical statin drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol.
Can this be true? Is red yeast a "natural statin"? Does red
yeast lower cholesterol as well as or better than stain
drugs? Just how much does red yeast lower cholesterol and
how much red yeast should you everyday take to lower your
cholesterol? Are some forms of red yeast superior to others?
The answers to these questions are of vital importance to
our national health. Over 106 million Americans over age 20
have high cholesterol, according to the American Heart
Association. And, high cholesterol is an equal opportunity
threat. Even President Barack Obama has high cholesterol,
according to White House physician Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman.
President Obama's LDL ("bad") cholesterol level is 137,
which is 37 points higher than the healthy cut-off level of
100 for LDL cholesterol.
What Is Red Yeast?
According to the National Institutes of Health, red yeast is a
mold known as monascus purpureus. It is fermented and
sprinkled over rice, giving it a red color. It is also used to
make red rice wine and red rice vinegar, a common food
flavoring in Chinese food.
Red yeast contains compounds known as monacolins which
are known to reduce cholesterol. In particular ‘monacolin K’,
a naturally occurring compound found in red yeast, is the
same as the pharmaceutical compound "lovastatin".
According to The National Institutes of Health, the first
documented use of red yeast rice was in the Chinese Tang
dynasty in 800 A.D. In traditional Chinese medicine, red
yeast has been used to improve blood circulation.
Is There Any Scientific Evidence That Red Yeast Lowers
Cholesterol?
Several research studies spanning many years have
documented the effectiveness of red yeast rice in lowering
cholesterol.
Two important studies have been conducted in the United
States. In the first study, led by Dr. David Becker from the
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 79 patients
were divided into 2 groups. The first group was given 40
mg/day of simvastatin, a commonly prescribed drug to lower
cholesterol.
The second group was put on an alternative therapy
consisting of red yeast supplements (either 2400 mg/day or
3600 mg/day depending on how high their cholesterol was)
and omega -3 fatty acids, consisting of 2100 mg/day of EPA
and 1680 mg/day of DHA. Both groups also followed
reasonable diet and exercise lifestyles.
At the end of 12 weeks, the researchers compared the 2
groups. Which group did better--the group on statins or the
group on natural food supplements?
The result may surprise you. The group on statins lowered
their LDL (bad) cholesterol by 39%. But the group on red
yeast rice and fish oil pills did even better, lowering their bad
cholesterol by 42%.
Again, these results were achieved in just 12 weeks.
A 2005 study from Taiwan reached similar results. In that
study, conducted by researchers from China Medical
University and China Medical University Hospital in Taichung,
Taiwan, 79 patients with average LDL cholesterol levels of
203 dl/ were given 1200 mg of red yeast (600 mg twice a
day) for 8 weeks.
At the end of the 8 weeks, the patients on red yeast
supplement lowered their total cholesterol by 21.5 , their
LDL cholesterol by 27% , and their triglycerides by 15.8%.
Based on the strength of these and other similar studies
(notably a 1999 study by Dr. David Heber of the UCLA
Center for Human Nutrition), both the National Institutes of
Health and the Mayo Clinic have endorsed the use of red
yeast rice as an aid in lowering cholesterol.
How Exactly Does Red Yeast Lower Cholesterol?
When the red yeast is consumed, it is broken down in the
body and it is then that the lovastatin compounds are
released. These compounds then interfere with the enzymes
that make bad cholesterol preventing the cholesterol from
forming. Red yeast, like prescribed statin drugs, has been
found to inhibit the work of a destructive enzyme called 3-
hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase.
What do we take from these studies. It is fairly clear that
red yeast can be used an alternative to statins to lower high
cholesterol. Red yeast is especially useful because many
people experience side effects from statins such as muscle
twitches and pains or are otherwise intolerant to statin
drugs.
Warnings and Possible Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice:
In 2007 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a
warning to consumers about red yeast. Since red yeast
contains lovastatin -- an active pharmaceutical ingredient ---
they felt it should only be prescribed and monitored by
approved professionals. Among the reasons cited by the FDA
is the fact that the lovastatin has been known to cause
severe muscle and kidney problems. The risk of experiencing
these side effects is increased if you are taking certain anti-
depressants and certain antibiotics.
The National Institutes of Health stated that because of the
FDA action on the products there are some difficulties with
consistency. It says that products that are bought over the
internet can have varying levels of the monacolin K in them,
from nothing to worrying amounts. It says the effects are
not completely predictable. It recommends that there is
stronger clinical evidence as well as better knowledge of side
effects for traditional pharmaceutical cholesterol lowering
drugs.
The National Institutes of Health indicates that the side
effects of red yeast supplementation are similar to the statin
drugs lovastatin and include dizziness, asthma, heartburn,
gas, bloating, muscle pain or damage, headaches, abdominal
soreness and kidney problems.
They recommend that people with liver disease should not
use red yeast products. Women who are pregnant and
breast feeding also should not use red yeast.
The University of Maryland has added additional warnings.
The National Institutes of Health recommend that under
people under 18 should not use red yeast . The University of
Maryland is even stricter, warning that people under 20 s not
use red yeast.
The University of Maryland also say that red yeast can be
harmful in people who drink more than two drinks a day.
Also those with thyroid problems or those who have
received organ transplants should avoid it.
What Is The Best Way to take Red Yeast?
Red Yeast is sold in two ways-- as a supplement and as a
powder.
As mentioned above, the FDA has implemented controls on
red yeast and this especially relates to supplements. You can
purchase supplements but be sure to check how much
monacolin K they contain.
The easiest and perhaps the safest way to get the benefits of
red yeast is to eat it in rice form as the Chinese have for
1200 years. Below is a recipe to prepare red yeast rice which
you can have with an array of dishes.
Recipe for Red Yeast Rice:
1.Start with regular white rice.
2.Place the Rice in a bowl of cold water and leave for 30 to
40 minutes or until the rice has been saturated with the
water.
3. Drain the cold water and add the rice to a pot.
4. Add 1 ½ cups of water per cup of rice and boil.
5. Allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes
6. Once all the water has been absorbed leave the rice to
cool slightly.
7. Add the red yeast-1 ½ tablespoon per cup of rice. Mix
thoroughly.
8. Keep the mixture at room temperature for 4 -5 days. Until
the rice has turned a purplish/reddish color.
9. You can reheat and eat with your desired dish.
Note: It is important that all the water has been absorbed
into the rice or else it will become a breeding ground for
bacteria. If you find any water after you’ve left it to incubate
then it is best to through it out.
If you intend to purchase red yeast over the internet,
consult your doctor before hand to make sure it will not
interfere with any of your medications or that your medical
history does not indicate that you should not take read
yeast. Also, if you suffer any of the side effects of read yeast
supplementation --muscle twitches, pains etc-- contact your
doctor immediately as it could be potentially serious.
You're just getting started. Learn more about the
relationship between your diet and your risk for other
diseases and conditions: Ideal Diet to Reduce Fibroid
Tumors / Pelvic Cancer-Symptoms and Treatments /How to
Lose Weight After Menopause/Best Breakfast to Fight
Arthritis/ Health Dangers of Milk / Lose Weight by Lowering
Thermostat / Lose Belly Fat After the Baby/ Foods That
Shrink Your Waist/ Drinking Cold Water Burns Calories / Six
Pack Abs-A Guided Tour /Top 10 Foods That Fight Anemia /
How Much Is Too Much Salt? /Sugar-The Disease
Connection / Are Diet Sodas Bad for Your Health? / Ideal
Breakfast for Diabetics / Ideal Breakfast for Arthritis
/Healing Foods Links / Foods That Shrink Your Waist /
Foods That Lower Cholesterol/ VLDL-The Other Cholesterol/
Foods That Reduce Blood Pressure
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