What Is Red Yeast Rice?

 

Natural Cholesterol Support

 

Red yeast rice has been used as both a food and a natural medicine. It can be used to help support cholesterol lowering, improved blood circulation. It may also support digestive health and function. Red yeast rice contains ingredients and chemicals that have properties similar to statins but without the harsh side effects

Red Yeast Rice Benefits

 
  • Can help support lowering of LDL cholesterol
  • Improved blood circulation
  • Studies have shown that red yeast rice may reduce LDL levels by 22% and total cholesterol by 16% in 12 weeks
 

Red Yeast Rice Side Effects

 
  • Red Yeast rice tends to have pretty mild side effects such as headaches, heartburn and upset stomach
  • Red yeast rice can also deplete the body of Coenzyme Q10, more commonly known as CoQ10
 

Red Yeast Rice Deficiency

 
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Muscle damage
  • Heart failure (at extreme levels)
 

Quick Facts

 
  • Red yeast rice is a byproduct of rice with chemical compounds known as monacolins
  • Some modern cholesterol-reducing prescription drugs contain monacolins
  • Red yeast rice is also known by the Chinese names Zhi Tai or Hong Qu
  • The monacolin K in red yeast rice restricts the production of HMG-CoA reductase, or the sticky part of cholesterol that attaches itself to the inside of blood vessels
  • Red yeast rice can deplete your body of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
  • Your body's cells use CoQ10 to produce energy for cell growth and maintenance
  • CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant
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    Sources

    • http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/red-yeast-rice
    • http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/red-yeast-rice
    • http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/10/why-you-should-avoid-red-rice-yeast.aspx