Scientists at the University of Tromso in Norway analyzed the data from 93 randomized,
placebo-controlled human clinical trials covering 9625 study participants evaluating
the ability of Red Yeast Rice to lower cholesterol. The researched showed a
significant decrease in total cholesterol levels by 35 mg/dl, a significant
drop in triglycerides of 36mg/dl, and a similarly significant drop in LDL-cholesterol
(lowered by a significant 22%), and a healthy 13 point increase in HDL-cholesterol
by Red Yeast Rice treatments vs. placebo (all values represent the average and
not the extreme effects). The cholesterol modification effects appeared similar
to commonly used statin drugs. Side effects were minor if they did occur. The
study is published in the November 2006 issue of the British journal Chinese
Medicine.
Red Yeast Rice Extract reduces cholesterol and inflammation and improves
heart function
Cardiac Syndrome X is a clinical condition that produces angina-like chest pain
during exertion accompanied with poor blood flow to the heart (ischemia). The
difference between this and coronary artery disease is that there is no clogging
of the hearts arteries. This syndrome is found more often in pre-menopausal
women and it is connected to conditions such as panic attacks and fibromyalgia.
In this study 36 patients with Cardiac Syndrome X were randomly given either
a Chinese Red Yeast Rice Extract or placebo for 90 days. The Red Yeast Rice
Extract produced a significant 19% decrease in total cholesterol, 26% drop in
LDL-cholesterol, and a 16% decrease in triglycerides compared with the start
of the study.
The Red Yeast Rice Extract reduced adjusted CRP by 44% (log CRP). CRP is a risk
factor for developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
and possibly colon cancer. Elevated CRP is a predictor of stroke, heart attack,
and increased risk of dying. The Red Yeast Rice improved the ability to exercise
by inhibiting stress on the heart muscle. The study was performed at Peking
Union Medical College and is published in the December 27th, 2006 issue of the
International Journal of Cardiology.
Red Yeast Rice decreases the risk of second heart attack and dying
in heart attack survivors
This study included 2135 patients who had a heart attack within the last one
to three month period (Group 1) before the start of the study and 2735 patients
who had a heart attack within 3 months to 5 years (Group 2) before the start
of the study. They received either a Red Yeast Rice preparation capsule or inactive
placebo. The occurrence of coronary events (either a heart attack or heart related
death) was decreased by 56.7% with a 48.6% decrease in all cause mortality in
Group 1 compared to patients on placebo. The risk of coronary events decreased
by 35.3% and all-cause mortality fell by 20% in Group 2. The study is published
in the January 2006 issue of the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine.
Adding Red Yeast Rice to conventional therapy dramatically cuts the
risk of dying or suffering a heart attack in diabetics with coronary heart disease
In coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease) fatty deposits
build up on the lining of blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood
and oxygen. The narrowing decreases the supply of blood to the heart resulting
in chest pain known as angina. Coronary heart disease increases the risk of
heart attack and even stroke and it is a precursor to heart failure. Events
related to coronary heart disease are the leading cause of death in the US.
In this study 591 diabetics with coronary heart disease were supplemented with
either Red Yeast Rice or inactive placebo in addition to conventional therapy
in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants
were followed for an average of 4 years. The patients taking Red Yeast Rice
were protected from dying; the incidence of dying from a coronary heart disease
related event dropped by 44.1%. The total number of coronary heart disease related
events dropped by 50.8%. The number of people who suffered with a non-fatal
heart attack dropped by 63.8%. The incidence of stroke and cancer dropped by
20.2% and death due to all causes dropped by 44.1%. The need to undergo coronary
artery bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions (using a catheter
in the heart such as in angioplasty) decreased by over 20%. The study was performed
at the Cardiovascular Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking
Union Medical College in Beijing, and is published in the December 2005 issue
of the Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases.
Red Yeast Rice preparation decreases the risk of dying from a stroke,
heart attack, or sudden cardiac death in diabetics with heart disease
A total of 591 diabetic patients who also had coronary heart disease (CHD) were
given either a Red Yeast Rice preparation or inactive placebo for comparisons
sake. They were followed for 4 years on average. Red Yeast Rice decreased the
risk of a CHD related event such as a heart attack by 50.8% vs. placebo. The
risk of dying from a heart attack dropped by 58.5%, and the incidence of non-fatal
heart attack dropped by 63.8%. Sudden cardiac death dropped by 27%, and death
related to other incidents related to CHD (not fatal MI or sudden cardiac death)
dropped by 53.4%. The study is published in the February 2007 issue of the American
published journal the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.
Red Yeast Rice lowers cholesterol and improves cholesterol ratios
In this newly published study 79 patients with high cholesterol received either
600mg of Red Yeast Rice twice a day or placebo for 8 weeks. The Red Yeast Rice
significantly lowered cholesterol and LDL, and improved lipid ratios (cholesterol/HDL,
LDL/HDL) vs. placebo. The study is published in the June 2007 issue of the European
Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.
Another study shows that Red Yeast Rice decreases the risk of heart
attack and other coronary events in diabetics
A Red Yeast Rice preparation or inactive placebo was used in 591 diabetic patients
with coronary heart disease. The patients were followed for 4 years on average.
Red Yeast Rice decreased the risk of coronary heart disease events such as a
heart attack by 50.8%. The risk of a fatal heart attack dropped by 58.5%, and
decreased the risk of non-fatal heart attack by 63.8%. Sudden cardiac death
dropped by 27%, and other deadly events related to heart disease dropped by
53.4%. The study is published in the February 2007 issue of the Journal
of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.
