A natural way to combat high cholesterol, or just another statin?
Red yeast rice has been recommended by many as an alternative to taking a prescribed statin to reduce your cholesterol levels.
Most people don’t know that all statins were actually derived from the same fungus used to make red yeast rice, and so they are natural substances to a degree. However, prescribed statins are much more refined, without the contaminants present in unregulated dietary supplements.
In 1998, the FDA considered red yeast rice products are identical to a drug and therefore, subject to regulation as a drug. For a short time, a product called Cholestin was banned. In 2003, red yeast rice products began to reappear in the US market. As long as the products being sold do not indicate that it will lower your cholesterol or do not claim to contain lovastatin, they are not subject to FDA action.
The safety of red yeast rice products has not been established. The amounts of monacolins (chemicals that are identical to lovastatin) are so varied that there is no way to regulate or establish the efficacy and/or safety for consumption. The same side effects as found in prescribed statins are also noted with similar frequencies in red yeast rice, including muscle myopathy and liver damage.
Just remember that when dealing with natural supplements, you still need to research the product and educate yourself about potential side effects and the presence of fillers and other substances added for coloring/flavoring, etc. An educated consumer is always the best consumer.
About Cleansing Water, Inc.
Cleansing Water, Inc. is a Warrenton, Virginia home health care agency offering professional geriatric care and serving seniors, individuals recovering from surgery, individuals with long-term disabilities, and other clients throughout Fauquier, Culpeper, Gainesville, Haymarket, Middleburg, Prince William, Rappahannock and other Piedmont Virginia communities. We provide in-home companions, certified nursing assistants, and geriatric care managers to assist with the tasks of daily living, monitor health and medications, and ensure clients are well cared for, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
For more information about Cleansing Water’s short-term and long-term home health care services, Call (540) 341-0212 or our toll-free number, (866) 294-4665, to schedule a consultation and discuss your geriatric care and home health care options. You can also visit CleansingWater.com for more information.