RED YEAST RICE

Red Yeast Rice is a unique natural product native to China that's been used in Asian traditional medical systems since approximately 800 A.D. It is produced by the fermentation of red yeast Monascus purpureus with white rice. First reportedly used, over 2800 years ago in China as a food preservative and food coloring agent. The earliest accounts of the recipe to make Red Yeast Rice date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Even at that time, Red Yeast Rice was reported to improve blood circulation. Red Yeast Rice Extract is carefully produced to avoid the presence of citrinin, a sometimes toxic by-product of the fermentation process. This product is further enhanced with the addition of CoQ10 to support healthy cardiovascular and immune system function, Milk Thistle Extract to support healthy liver function, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to provide antioxidant support.

Red Yeast Rice, as sold in a supplement form, is primarily made of rice starch, protein, and fiber . Its active ingredient, however, is a mixture of statins that are natural byproducts of the fungus Monascus purpureus. These statins include Monacolin K, Monacolin K (hydroxy-acid form), dihydromonocolin, and Monocolin I through VI. Monacolin K is also known as mevinolin and lovastatin, while the remaining statins are closely related to lovastatin. Other ingredients of Red Yeast Rice include stigmasterol, Beta-sitosterol, camposterol, sapogenin, isoflavones and monounsaturated fats. Red Yeast Rice also contains several compounds collectively known as Monacolins, substances known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. One of these, "Monacolin K" is a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.In addition to natural pigments such as monascorubin and monascin, Red Yeast Rice contains starch, fatty acids, phytosterol, isoflavones and monacolins. Monacolins possess hydroxymethyglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase-inhibitory activity. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are commonly known as statins. The first statin introduced in the U.S., for use as a cholesterol lowering agent, was lovastatin. Lovastatin was originally derived from Monascus ruber, and was first called monacolin K. Monacolin K is a lactone which is converted in the body to the active form of the statin, the corresponding beta-hydroxy acid of Monacolin K (lovastastin, mevinolin).

Researchers have determined that the ingredients in Red Yeast Rice, called Monacolin K, inhibits the production of cholesterol by stopping the action of a key enzyme in the liver e.g., HMG-CoA reductase, that is responsible for manufacturing cholesterol. The amount per volume of Monacolin K in Red Yeast Riceis small as compared to the other dietary supplements which are categorized as "drugs" due to high volume of Monocolin K. This has prompted researchers to suggest that Red Yeast Rice may have other ingredients, such as sterols, that might also contribute to lowering cholesterol

BENEFITS OF RED YEAST RICE
Red Yeast Rice extract has a number of heart-healthy benefits: It seems to help reduce total cholesterol levels, lower levels of LDL termed as "bad" cholesterol, increase levels of HDL termed as "good" cholesterol, and lower levels of unhealthy fats called triglycerides. It appears to accomplish this by restricting the liver's production of cholesterol. The compound responsible for this effect is mevinolin. Unsaturated fatty acids in Red Yeast Rice extract are also believed to be beneficial, possibly by lowering triglycerides. Hence the action by the FDA. Mevinolin is also similar to the active ingredients in other cholesterol medications such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitoratorvastatin.

USES OF RED YEAST RICE
Red Yeast Rice extract helps to prevent heart disease and some of its complications.
Red Yeast Rice have favorable effects on lipids.
Red Yeast Rice helps in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.
Red Yeast Rice has been used as a traditional medicine to promote circulation and heart health, but also used as a food flavoring agent.
Red Yeast Rice helps to prevent atherosclerosis - a condition that can lead to the "silent killer"-coronary heart disease
Red Yeast Rice helps to improve circulation by its cholesterol regulating action.

EFFECTS OF RED YEAST RICE
Effects of Red Yeast Rice includes Mild headache and abdominal discomfort can occur.
Red Yeast Rice extract effects tend to be mild and resolve quickly once you stop taking it. These include headache, dizziness, heartburn, gas, and digestive tract discomfort.

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