Mayo Clinic reports the successful use of Red Yeast Rice to lower cholesterol
September
30,
2008
Researchers from the Division of Cardiology, Chestnut Hill Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Health System, in Philadelphia compared the cholesterol lowering effects of supplements and dietary changes to the statin drug simvastatin (Zocor) at 40mg a day; a robust dosage. The natural therapy combined Red Yeast Rice, Fish Oil capsules and a change of diet.
The randomized three-month clinical trial enrolled 74 patients with high cholesterol who were split into the drug treated or the natural treated groups. The patients on Red Yeast Rice/Fish Oils/ and good diet had a 42.4% drop in their LDL-cholesterol level, a 29% decrease in triglycerides, and a 5.5% drop in weight. The statin group had a 39.6% drop in LDL-cholesterol but none of the other improvements. The study is published in the July 2008 Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
An extract from red yeast rice protects heart patients
An extract of Red Yeast Rice or placebo was prescribed to almost 5,000 heart attack survivors for an average of 4.5 years; their LDL-cholesterol was in the average range before therapy. Red Yeast Rice decreased the risk of dying or suffering from a major coronary event including a heart attack by 45%, while placebo caused a 4.7% drop. Red Yeast Rice also decreased LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides while improving HDL. The supplement was safe and well tolerated. The study is published in the June 15th, 2008 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.