Red Yeast Rice
Health

Red Yeast Rice: What is it and How Does it Work to Lower Cholesterol?

There is a natural way of lowering cholesterol, and many are turning to Red Yeast Rice as a safe alternative to prescription drugs. But how does Red Yeast Rice work? And what are the effects of Red Yeast Rice on cholesterol levels?

1. What is Red Yeast Rice?

Red yeast rice contains monacolins, which are natural cholesterol-lowering compounds. The main chemical in red yeast rice is monacolin K, which inhibits the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which is responsible for producing cholesterol in the liver. Researchers have been able to decrease blood LDL-C levels by 40% when using red yeast rice. This decrease only applies to people taking medications for high cholesterol levels, or when there is suspicion of liver dysfunction or certain cancers.

There is a natural way of lowering cholesterol, and many are turning to Red Yeast Rice as a safe alternative to prescription drugs. But how does Red Yeast Rice work? And what are the effects of Red Yeast Rice on cholesterol levels?

Red Yeast Rice contains monacolins, which are natural cholesterol-lowering compounds. The main chemical in red yeast rice is monacolin K, which inhibits the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which is responsible for producing cholesterol in the liver. Researchers have been able to decrease blood LDL-C levels by 40% when using red yeast rice. This decrease only applies to people taking medications for high cholesterol levels, or when there is suspicion of liver dysfunction or certain cancers.

2. How does Red Yeast Rice lower cholesterol?

Red yeast rice is a type of fermented rice that is grown on a large scale in Asia. It’s made from a fungus called Monascus purpureus that is grown on rice grains. The fungus produces a red pigment called monastic that gives the rice a reddish colour. 

In Japan, this fungus’s name (mon-sak) means protection, so it is used as a traditional herbal medicine for purifying the blood and protecting the spine. The Red Yeast Rice we buy at the store is sold in small bags with instructions and cooking instructions just like any other rice.

The side effect of more cholesterol in the blood is typically high triglycerides. High triglycerides are Bad. So, reducing triglyceride levels is very beneficial.

Red Yeast Rice does not contain any type of medication. It’s a natural remedy that lowers the levels of cholesterol naturally. While this naturally occurring treatment is less effective than medication, it may offer long-term benefits for lowering cholesterol. Red Yeast Rice is 90% as effective as a cholesterol-lowering drug called Plaquenil (Avodian), and it may be an effective alternative to statins (Pearl Phytonutrient Extract).

Read: Benefits of Grape Seed Extract For Your Body

3. What are the side effects of Red Yeast Rice?

The side effects of Red Yeast Rice are usually mild and include stomach upset, diarrhoea, constipation, headache, blood pressure changes, and a rash. If you have a serious health condition, talk to your doctor before taking Red Yeast Rice. 

There is something beyond China’s red rice that is raising our cholesterol levels: refined carbohydrates. Any time we eat an Energy drink or an orange or a candy bar, our blood sugar becomes elevated. This happens regardless of whether we are eating a piece of fruit, with a piece of white bread, from a bagel, or even from the side of a highway. This natural insulin response causes our blood sugar to rise and alcohol, sugar, and refined carbohydrates spike this natural rise in blood sugar. According to Harvard Health,

A few other things you should consider roasting — apples, bananas, chocolate, and some nuts — also spike our blood sugar.

4. How does Red Yeast Rice compare to statin drugs?

Red yeast rice is a dietary supplement that helps lower cholesterol. It’s made from red yeast grown on rice and has been used in China for centuries to treat high cholesterol. Red yeast rice contains a compound called monacolin K, which is similar to the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. 

There are many health benefits to a diet that includes foods like red yeast rice. These include improved lipid profile, preventing cardiovascular disease, and reducing inflammation. These benefits have been linked to reducing the production of LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in the body since LDL increases with age and people given a diet rich in animal products are more likely to have heart disease.

Conclusion: 

Find out how you can beat your cholesterol with a natural solution. And find out why it’s often better than taking statin drugs.

Nyla Rose

Nyla Rose is a distinguished figure at The Mews Beauty, an online magazine dedicated to beauty, fashion, and health. As a prominent contributor since 2019, Nyla has been instrumental in shaping the magazine's voice and content. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of topics including beauty tips, fashion trends, health and fitness advice, and lifestyle insights. Nyla's passion for empowering women through informative and engaging content has made her a beloved and respected voice among The Mews Beauty's readership.

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