Eating Red Yeast Rice Is Good For Your Cholesterol

You must be wondering what's so special about red yeast rice, since it is getting much public attention. This publicity comes mostly from commercial concerns who have adopted this remedy to help patients lower their cholesterol levels. In fact, according to recent medical surveys on cholesterol, over 37% of adult Americans have elevated cholesterol levels. This cholesterol imbalance results from many different causes including genetics and family history, being overweight, and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet, to name a few. And since many Americans treat the illness rather than help to prevent it, red yeast rice is now available to help those suffering with high cholesterol.

Red yeast rice is well know in China, where the locals use it for food and as a herbal medicine. The Chinese make it by fermenting Monascus purpureus, a special yeast, over red rice. Red rice looks like ordinary rice except for a reddish color that comes from the bran left on it, and is mostly found in tropical mountains in Asia. Red rice first came to North America in 1990 and found a niche in Americans who suffer with high cholesterol levels.

The Chinese have known the benefits of Red Yeast Rice for a long time. So it is no small wonder that high cholesterol levels do not affect many Chinese. Following the success of the Chinese, pharmaceutical companies began doing research on the effectiveness of red year rice. In a 12- week period, 83 high cholesterol patients were given red yeast rice, during a study at UCLA School of Medicine. The results showed that some test patients reduced their overall cholesterol levels by as much as 40%. What is more impressive is that they didn't have to rely on prescription drugs.

Another 8-week trial had 446 people with elevated cholesterol levels take red yeast rice or a placebo. The patients who took the substance had their overall cholesterol drop by 22.7%. This included a 20% rise in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), and a whopping 31% decrease in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Of course, any increase in good cholesterol or drop in bad cholesterol points to a reversal of heart disease, even though the patient has to continue with the positive action.

These trial led to the discovery of a few pharmaceutical drugs including Lovastatin, with red yeast rice as the main ingredient. Doctors prescribe Lovastatin as a cholesterol lowering drug which works to prevent the liver from making cholesterol. But taking drugs or substances in their natural form is only part of the story toward good cholesterol health. You must begin an exercise program to lose weight, stop smoking, and make healthy food choices. Once you continue with your unhealthy lifestyle you will again attract LDL cholesterol.

You also want to check your cholesterol levels often. This includes your overall cholesterol, your LDL, HDL, and your Total/HDL and LDL/HDL. However, you want to maintain a LDL of less than 130. Of course, you should also discuss any cholesterol problems you have with your doctor or other trained practitioner. But you can make a great start by adding red yeast rice to your diet.

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Eating Red Yeast Rice Is Good For Your Cholesterol