In this new study researchers at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine randomized 62 patients with elevated
LDL-cholesterol and statin intolerance (due to muscle pain) to receive
3 capsules containing 600 milligrams Red Yeast Rice or a placebo twice
daily for 24 weeks. Participants were additionally provided with weekly
educational meetings over a 12 week period on the subjects of
cardiovascular disease, nutrition, exercise and relaxation techniques.
Total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and other blood values were measured at
the beginning of the study, at 12 weeks, and at the study’s conclusion.
By week 12, LDL cholesterol had decreased by 43 mg/dL in the
group that received Red Yeast Rice and by 11 mg/dL in the placebo
group. The researchers also report that Red Yeast Rice lowers low
density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but does not cause the muscle
pain (myalgia) associated with statins, the number one drug treatment
for high LDL-cholesterol.
At the end of the 24 week treatment period, LDL cholesterol
was 35 mg/dL lower than values measured at the beginning of the study
in the Red Yeast Rice group, and 15 mg/dL lower in the placebo group.
Total cholesterol was also lower at both time points for those that
received red yeast rice.
“To our knowledge, ours is the first randomized,
double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate Red Yeast Rice in
patients with a history of statin-associated myalgias,” the authors
announce. “Red Yeast Rice significantly decreased LDL and total
cholesterol levels compared with placebo and did not increase the
incidence of myalgias over a 24-week period. The regimen of Red Yeast
Rice and therapeutic lifestyle change may offer a lipid lowering option
for patients with a history of intolerance to statin therapy.” The
study appears in the June 16 issue of the journal Annals of
Internal Medicine.
