Facts about
Red Yeast Rice

• Red yeast rice is a natural statin
   
• Red yeast rice is produced by cultivating the yeast strain Monascus purpureus on rice. This process produces a strong red colour
   
• Red yeast rice have been used as a food coloring for centuries in China and many Asian countries. For example is the famous red Peking duck coloured by red yeast rice
   
• In China the use of red yeast rice is documented as far back as the Tang Dynasty in 800 A.D
   
• Red yeast supplements are different from red yeast rice sold in grocery stores

What is Red Yeast Rice?

Red yeast rice, a dietary staple in some Asian countries, is yeast cultivated on rice. The product contains 14 active compounds called monacolins, which have been shown to inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol. One of the monacolins (monacolin K) effectively blocks HMG-CoA reductase. It is also referred to as “mevinolin” or “lovastatin”. Red yeast rice also contains unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols capable of lowering LDL cholesterol.

Naturally occurring statins are well tolerated
Red-yeast-rice extract works as a natural occurring statin. Statins is a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol in the body. Red-yeast-rice extract is well tolerated in the body. Experience has shown that even relatively large doses of natural occuring statins given to persons who do not tolerate conventional cholesterol-lowering medication, tolerate natural occurring statins. Some research indicate that more that 90% of persons tolerate natural occurring statins and almost 90% of persons who experience side effects with conventional cholesterol-lowering medication tolerate natural ocurring statins.