| What are red yeast rice side effects? Is it a safe | | | | concern was for only certain red yeast rice |
| natural alternative to help support balanced | | | | supplements containing high levels of the standardized |
| cholesterol levels? | | | | extract lovastatin. This is why manufacturers of |
| These are valid questions especially in view of the | | | | holistic herbal remedies don't use or approve of the |
| controversy generated around red yeast rice the last | | | | standardization process. |
| several years as several popular brands of red yeast | | | | The standardization process involves the isolation and |
| rice (RYR) supplements were pulled from the market | | | | concentration of a single ingredient (lovastatin for |
| by the FDA. | | | | example). This is done with harsh chemicals, traces of |
| RYR has been used for over a thousand years in | | | | which can't be fully removed from the final product. |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a promoter of | | | | It's a well known principle in traditional herbalism that |
| blood circulation and a digestive stimulant. | | | | isolation and concentration enhances the potency of |
| Recent research published in the Annals of Internal | | | | a single ingredient while also increasing the risk of side |
| Medicine concludes that red yeast rice has significant | | | | effects. |
| cholesterol-lowering effects. | | | | Another recent example of the dangers of using this |
| Based on recent research, 62 people who were | | | | manufacturing process includes the development of |
| unable to continue treatment with prescription | | | | liver toxicity from using Kava Kava standardized |
| cholesterol lowering drugs due to adverse side | | | | extract, an herb which has been safely used for |
| effects, took RYR supplements and made lifestyle | | | | hundreds of years. |
| adjustments for six months. After three months, the | | | | Red yeast rice in its natural state consists of 14 |
| LDL (so-called "bad" cholesterol) levels of those | | | | monacolin compounds such as monacolin K, a natural |
| taking the active supplements had declined 27%, | | | | lovastatin. From a holistic point-of-view these other |
| compared to 6% in the placebo group. | | | | monacolins, along with its naturally occurring fatty |
| Red Yeast Rice Side Effects - Is It Safe? | | | | acids, anti-oxidants and other nutrients, work |
| In 2007, several brands of popular RYR supplements | | | | together to enhance its cholesterol-balancing and |
| were pulled from the market by the FDA. The official | | | | other health enhancing benefits without producing |
| reason given was safety concerns because of the | | | | negative side effects. |
| use of standardized extracts which FDA tests found | | | | The mainstream medical community is slow to accept |
| contained high levels of lovastatin, the active | | | | red yeast rice as an alternative to statin drugs, even |
| ingredient in Mevacor, a prescription drug approved | | | | though there is no solid evidence that RYR is unsafe. |
| for marketing in the United States as a treatment for | | | | The quality of nutritional supplements on the market |
| high cholesterol. | | | | does vary and it's the responsibility of the |
| Although safety reasons were the official explanation | | | | supplement user to locate high quality products |
| for pulling the RYR products, there has been legal | | | | manufactured by companies that follow agreed upon |
| dispute as to whether RYR is a drug or a dietary | | | | good manufacturing practices (GMP). |
| supplement, involving the supplement manufacturers, | | | | If you have concerns about red yeast rice side |
| the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry, particularly | | | | effects, look for supplements produced without the |
| producers of so-called "statin drugs." | | | | use of standardized extracts. Take a little time to |
| Apparently, the safety concern is based on the | | | | read labels and research products. If you have |
| known risks and side effects of prescription | | | | questions or concerns, consult your health care |
| cholesterol lowering statin drugs which rely on | | | | provider before starting any supplementation |
| lovastatin as the main active ingredient. The safety | | | | program. |