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What is Red Yeast Rice Extract (RYR)?

Red yeast rice is the product of yeast (Monascuspurpureus) grown on rice, and is served as a dietary staple in some Asian countries. It 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, and is also known as mevinolin or lovastatin (Mevacor®), a drug produced by Merck & Co., Inc). Red yeast rice extract has been sold as a natural cholesterol-lowering agent in over the counter supplements, such as CholestinTM (Pharmanex, Inc). Red yeast rice has been used as a food flavoring agent, but also as a traditional medicine to promote circulation and heart health. Modern science suggests that red yeast rice may be useful for these purposes. Research suggests that red yeast rice contains mevinolin - a chemical thought to help maintain cholesterol levels already in the normal range and to promote cardiovascular health.

The use of red yeast rice in China was first documented in the Tang Dynasty in 800 A.D. In this text, red yeast rice is proposed to be a mild aid for gastric problems (indigestion, diarrhea), blood circulation, and spleen and stomach health. Red yeast rice is a product native to China and Asia, and has been used for over three thousand years in traditional Chinese medicine systems. Red yeast rice is a dietary staple in many Asian countries, including China and Japan, with typical consumption ranging from 14 to 55 g/person/day (0.5 to 2 oz). This substance could plausibly account for the low level of cardiovascular disease found in Asian populations.

Red yeast rice, a fermented product of rice on which red yeast (Monascus purpureus) has been grown and has been used for centuries in Chinese cuisine as a medicinal food to promote healthy blood circulation. Red yeast rice extract is most often used by those who wish to have healthy cholesterol levels. Those who take a red yeast rice supplement should consider taking a CoQ10 supplement a few times a week since some red yeast rice extract products may deplete CoQ10 levels. Coq10 may be helpful for those on statin therapy for lowering cholesterol levels. Red yeast rice may lower Coq10 levels although there are a number of different RYR products on the market and it is difficult to know what substances each one has and how they influence levels of coenzyme q10. RYR and statins inhibit the body's natural synthesis of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is needed for optimum heart health and general health, so whether you take red rice yeast extract or statins, be sure to take 90 - 120 mg of CoQ10 every day.

What is Red Yeast Rice Extract used for and who uses it?

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is one of the benefits of red yeast rice extract. Since the 1970s, human studies have reported that red yeast lowers blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein/LDL ("bad cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels. Preliminary evidence shows that taking Monascus purpureus by mouth may result in cardiovascular benefits and improve blood flow, as well as benefits in diabetics, although additional study is still needed before a firm recommendation can be made. RYR affects cardiovascular disease by inhibiting the body’s synthesis of cholesterol and C-Reactive Protein.

The dried yeast contains a family of compounds (‘monacolins’) that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase (an enzyme responsible for making cholesterol in the body). These inhibitors are similar in chemical structure to the expensive ‘statin’ drugs that are sold as prescription remedies for high cholesterol. In addition, the red yeast contains a variety of other medically active compounds, including flavonoids and sterols, that may contribute to the yeast’s cholesterol-regulating activity. The monacolins in RYR also suppress the body’s production of C-Reactive Protein (‘CRP’). CRP is a protein involved in inflammation, and inflammation is considered to be the primary process that causes plaques to develop in arteries. By suppressing CRP, red yeast rice appears to be helping to suppress the inflammation responsible for atherosclerosis.

Of all the natural supplements available to help lower cholesterol, red rice yeast extracts are by far the most effective. Red rice yeast (Monascus purpureus) is a source of naturally occurring statins, the same class of prescription drugs used to lower and control cholesterol. Because red rice yeast extract delivers a mix of those compounds rather than a single type of molecule, it is much less likely to cause the side effects that sometimes occur with the pharmaceutical versions.

In a new study, Pennsylvania researchers found that a commercially available red yeast rice product significantly decreased the cholesterol in 62 patients with high cholesterol. All of the patients had stopped taking statins because of side effects, and all followed a lifestyle-change program in addition to taking the supplement. After 12 weeks, investigators found these patients' cholesterol levels dropped an average of 43 points, compared to 11 points in the placebo group.

How does red rice yeast lower cholesterol?

Red rice yeast contains Monacolin. Statin drugs are a type of monacolin. Monacolins inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver. In fact some of the strongest cholesterol lowering drugs, such as Mevinolin and Lovastatin are statin drugs and so contain monacolins as found in red rice yeast.

The big difference between using red rice yeast and the anti-cholesterol drugs, is that the drugs provide standardised measures of monacolins in high dosages and are prescribed by a doctor to meet your specific needs. Red rice yeast, on the other hand, may lack standardisation to some extent and is seldom monitored by a physician who knows how to treat your cholesterol. One may think if you are going to use the monacolins through red rice yeast, why not use the monacolins via the available standardised drugs and get the benefit of the years your doctor has most likely treated cholesterol in others for? The answer to this is simple. The dose in statin cholesterol drugs is so high that a wide variety of adverse side effects exist. When red yeast rice is used in herbal alternative medicine, the dosage is much less lower and dangerous side effects appear to be non-existent, but the alternative medicine is also quite effective in lowering cholesterol.

How pure is your Red Yeast Rice Extract?

This all natural Red Yeast Rice Extract 0.4% Monacolin-K is a powdered extraction (P.E.) from rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast. You will receive a sealed and labeled heavy duty 4 mil polyethylene bag containing this bright reddish-purple powdered product. It contains no fillers, taste additives, or anti-caking agents. The expensive way to lower the body’s LDL cholesterol levels is to use brand-name ‘statin’ drugs. There are six prescription statins currently on the market in the U.S (Lipitor® (atorvastatin), Lescol® (fluvastatin), Mevacor® (lovastatin), Pravachol® (pravastatin), Zocor® (simvastatin), Crestor® (rosuvastatin)). Several of these are now available as generic drugs, at prices around $20/month, which represent the low end of the price range. It should be kept in mind however that the statin drugs, whether brand-name or generic, contain fairly high dosages of single substances and therefore have more serious side effects than RYR which contains low doses of many active substances. For these reasons, supplementation may be necessary to ensure safe and adequate intake.

What is the daily suggested dose of Red Yeast Rice Extract?

The dosage of red rice yeast for adults over 18 years old is 1,200 mgs of concentrated red rice yeast powder twice daily with food. Improvements in cholesterol levels should be noticeable in about 3 months after supplementation. One half level teaspoon will supply approximately 1416 milligrams, or just about 1.4 grams for the bulk density of this Red Yeast Rice Extract powder. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Red Yeast Rice Extract .

As always, if you have concerns or questions, consult a physician or a health care professional before taking any supplements. Before taking any kind of medicine, check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement you want to take is right for you. You may be allergic or you may have a sensitive stomach which may raise the need for special instruction as far as dosage goes.

What kind of results do people anticipate while taking Red Yeast Rice Extract?

Red Rice Yeast is a by-product of yeast grown on rice and is commonly eaten in Asian countries. Compounds in red rice yeast called monacolin help inhibit cholesterol. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation and aid digestion. A health benefit of red rice yeast is lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.

Precautions and Potential Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice Extract

RYR, like the statin drugs, suppresses the body’s levels of CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10, a substance required for metabolism). Users of RYR should therefore also use a CoQ10 supplement. Sudden termination of RYR usage can have a significant rebound effect on C-Reactive Protein, LDL and HDL. (The same is true for statin drugs.) RYR users who want to stop using RYR, especially those with severe cardiovascular disease, should therefore reduce the dosage of RYR gradually over a period of about a week. In all likelihood though, because the red yeast rice is not taken in alternative medicine in high dose forms, it appears quite safe for the vast majority to lower their cholesterol with.

Red rice yeast products or any statin drug are contraindicated if liver disease is present, or if pregnant, or if breast feeding, or if consuming alcohol, or if taking other cholesterol lowering drugs / products, or if taking other products that also contain red yeast rice. Just for good measure, discuss red yeast rice with your doctor prior to using it to lower your cholesterol levels.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Taste, solubility, and suggested preparation of Red Yeast Rice Extract

Red Yeast Rice Extract Powder with 0.4% Monacolin-K is slightly soluble in cold water, more soluble in hot water, and has a somewhat bitter taste with a fruit like aromatic aroma.

Red Yeast Rice Extract is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, sold by Swanson Healthcare Products, Inc. (manufactured by Nature’s Value Inc. and Kabco Inc., respectively); Cholestrix (sold by Sunburst Biorganics), CholestinTM (Pharmanex, Inc), Anabolic Innovations Cycle Support, Anabolic Innovations Life Support, NOW Red Yeast Rice With CoQ10, NOW Red Yeast Rice, Doctor's Best Best Red Yeast Rice 1200, LifeTime Red Yeast Rice, Solaray Red Yeast Rice, NOW Red Omega

References & Further Research

Simvastatin vs therapeutic lifestyle changes and supplements: randomized primary prevention trial
Simvastatin vs therapeutic lifestyle changes and supplements: randomized primary prevention trial The objective of this study was to compare the lipid-lowering effects of an alternative regimen (lifestyle changes, red yeast rice, and fish oil) with a standard dose of a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin). This randomized trial enrolled 74 patients with high cholesterol levels. All participants were randomized to an alternative treatment group (AG) or to receive simvastatin 40 mg/d. The alternative treatment included therapeutic lifestyle changes, ingestion of red yeast rice, and fish oil supplements for 12 weeks. There was a statistically significant reduction in LDL-C levels in both the AG (-42%) and the simvastatin group (-39%). The AG also demonstrated significant reductions in triglycerides (-29% vs -9%) and weight (-5.5% vs -0.4%) compared with the simvastatin group. Lifestyle changes combined with ingestion of red yeast rice and fish oil reduced LDL-C in proportions similar to standard therapy with simvastatin.

Red yeast rice extract suppress adipogenesis by down-regulating adipogenic transcription factors and gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells
The effects of red yeast rice extract on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells were studied. Red yeast rice extract was extracted from embryonic rice fermented with red yeast (Monascus ruber). These extracts significantly decreased glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and lipid accumulation, a marker of adipogenesis, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of both CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, the key adipogenic transcription factors, were markedly decreased by red yeast rice. Red yeast rice also inhibited the expression of PPARgamma at protein levels. Red yeast rice decreased significantly gene expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and leptin.. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of red yeast rice on adipocyte differentiation might be mediated through the down-regulated expression of adipogenic transcription factors and other specific genes.

Hypolipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects of long-term Cholestin (Monascus purpureus-fermented rice, red yeast rice) in cholesterol fed rabbits
Long-term effects of Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice; red yeast rice) on serum lipids and severity of atherosclerosis were examined in rabbits fed for 200 days on a semi-purified diet containing 0.25% cholesterol. Serum total cholesterol was 25 and 40% lower, respectively, in rabbits fed 0.4 or 1.35 g/kg/day of Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice; red yeast rice) compared to controls. This treatment also lowered serum LDL cholesterol. This 200-day treatment significantly reduced serum triglycerides and atherosclerotic index (ratio of non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol). Although similar reductions of total, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were observed, a parallel group of rabbits fed lovastatin failed to reduce the index significantly. Apolipoprotein A(1) was increased and apolipoprotein B was reduced in all treatment groups. Severity of atherosclerosis was reduced significantly in all treatment groups. The sudanophilic area of involvement was 80.6% in controls, and reduced significantly; to 30% on the low dose of Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice; red yeast rice), and 17% on the high dose. Lovastatin reduced severity of lesions by 89% (sudanophilia) and 84% (visual). Visual grading of lesion severity showed reduction by 38% and 68%.

Red Yeast Rice Extract for International Customers

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