RedYeastExtract

Red Yeast Extract

In Asia, Red Yeast is an ancient health remedy and food used for thousands of years. Over 20 clinical studies conducted in China suggest the Red Yeast Extract is beneficial to the circulatory system.

How Red Yeast Extract Works - Red Yeast Extract contains natural occurring compounds that have been shown to inhibit production of cholesterol in the liver. Approximately 80 percent of the body's supply of cholesterol is produced by the liver. The rest is what we get from food. Some people have found that even after going on a low fat diet their cholesterol levels remain high. Monacolins, natural occurring compounds in Red Yeast, has been shown to help block the enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, which results in a decrease in cholesterol production. . Some Red Yeast Rice formulas contain Bulgarian Red Yeast as well as Chinese Red Yeast. Bulgarian Red Yeast is extremely high in antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are thought to provide several heart protecting benefits, including reducing low- density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol) Oxidation needs to take place for LDL cholesterol to accumulate on the artery walls. The high antioxidant content of Bulgarian Red Yeast can help mitigate these effects.

The Wang Study - The Wang Study, a clinical trial of the serum lipid-lowering effects of Red Yeast, was a randomized, single blind trial of 502 patients who were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. The patients were then randomized into 1 of 4 groups. In 3 of the groups, treatment was with Red Yeast Extract and in the 4th group, being used as a control, was given gynostemma pentaphylla, a Chinese herb considered to have hypolipidemic properties.

After 4 weeks of therapy with Red Yeast Extract, the total cholesterol level was significantly decreased by an average of 17.1%, whereas a control group was only reduced by 4.8%. In addition, the LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, was reduced by 24.6% in the Red Yeast group versus an average of only 6.3% in the Control group. HDL, or "good" cholesterol, increased by 12.8% versus 4.9% in the Control group.

After 8 weeks of therapy, the patients in the Red Yeast group had a total cholesterol reduction of 22.7% versus 7% in the Control group. The LDL was reduced by 30.9% and the average increase of HDL was 19.9% versus 8.4% in the Control group. Triglycerides were also reduced in the Red Yeast group by an average of 34.1%.

All Red Yeast Extracts Are Not Equal - "Higher" milligrams does not necessarily mean "higher potency". Active ingredients in Red Yeast Extract are Monacolins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and antioxidant activity. Active ingredients come in various potencies, which are measured by percentage of potency, not milligrams. Most Red Yeast products on the marketplace do not disclose potency, instead, only the milligram content of each capsule is listed. This can make shopping for an affordable, high quality product confusing.

Importance of Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels - Heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States. Elevated cholesterol levels are a major contributor to this disease. Over 50% of Americans have cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dl which, according to the American Heart Association, puts them at risk of heart disease. If you are serious about preventing heart disease and the build up of plaque, you might consider decreasing saturated fat intake, exercising, increasing dietary fiber intake and adding Red Yeast Extract to your daily regimen. (Please consult your physician before starting any physical or dietary program.)