By Alex Baran,
Project Weight Loss Staff Writer
June 16, 2009 Red yeast rice, a supplement taken in China for hundreds of years, helps you keep cholesterol under control. While some medicine that lower cholesterol may cause leg cramps, this type of rice, along with exercises and a heart-healthy diet is a safe way to lower bad cholesterol, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. What makes red yeast rice any different from other kinds of rice?
Red yeast rice is a fermented one. It contains monacolins, compounds that are supposed to act similar to low-dose statins – a drug that lowers cholesterol. The rice inhibits the liver to produce cholesterol. Still, it is recommended to consult a physician before taking this supplement.
Your body makes cholesterol because it needs the fatlike substance, but in large quantity it’s bad for the arteries, problem that causes heart diseases, leading to death. General speaking, there is a high probability that the tastier the foods are, the higher the chance to be high in cholesterol.
Red yeast rice may be preferred instead of statins because the second one has side effects like weakness, liver problems, and muscle wasting. There’s a problem with the rice too: FDA is against several red yeast rice products, but not the supplements used in the study.
There are no scientific proves that recommend the red rice supplement for children, but for adults 1,200 milligrams powder capsules, taken two times per day, may bring benefits in controlling their cholesterol.
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