| possible to lower cholesterol safely and naturally | | | | effect on your liver. They generally work by |
| by using red yeast rice, but before you consider | | | | requiring your liver to use up cholesterol to make |
| doing so you should be aware of what cholesterol | | | | up for deficiency created by the drug, or by |
| is and what it does to your body. It is, in fact, an | | | | creating less LDL cholesterol, so an overdose can |
| oily liquid that is essential for your body’s | | | | be very dangerous and all of them have specific |
| health. You cannot do without it. Why then are | | | | side effects that you should ask your doctor |
| people telling you that it is bad for you? | | | | about. Statins might also need an enzyme |
| Let’s have a closer look at cholesterol, | | | | supplement since they can deplete the enzyme |
| then, and try to resolve this paradox. Cholesterol | | | | Co-Q10 that can lead to heart problems. You |
| is needed to make cell membranes and also some | | | | must ask your doctor about this. |
| hormones and other components your body | | | | A natural treatment for high LDL cholesterol levels |
| needs, and the main transportation system used | | | | is red yeast rice. This is produced by fermenting |
| is the bloodstream and its network of pipes | | | | of red yeast called Monascus purpureus over rice. |
| leading all parts of the body. Because the blood is | | | | It is what gives Peking duck its characteristic red |
| aqueous, and cholesterol is an oil, they do not mix. | | | | coloring, and is used in other forms of Chinese |
| In order for the cholesterol to be transported to | | | | cookery. It is also a traditional Chinese remedy for |
| the parts of your body where it is needed, it uses | | | | indigestion, diarrhea and poor circulation, and |
| a transport system, a bit like a taxicab. | | | | contains a natural statin called lovastatin that |
| The cabs used by cholesterol are called | | | | inhibits the production of an enzyme that |
| lipoproteins, which carry cholesterol and other fats | | | | promotes the production of cholesterol by the |
| around your body. There are a number of | | | | liver. |
| different kinds of lipoprotein, but the two we are | | | | Unfortunately, when the FDA found that the red |
| concerned about are low density lipoprotein (LDL) | | | | yeast rice contained lovastatin, it insisted it be |
| and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Low density | | | | recalled since it contained an uncontrolled |
| lipoprotein is the main cholesterol carrier in your | | | | pharmaceutical ingredient. There is now an ongoing |
| blood, and if too much cholesterol carried by LDL | | | | legal battle about whether red yeast rice is a |
| circulates rounds the blood, cholesterol deposits | | | | pharmaceutical drug or a dietary supplement. The |
| can build up on the artery walls of your heart and | | | | rice is still commonly sold. |
| brain. | | | | However, due to the unclear legal situation the |
| This can eventually build up into a hard lining called | | | | rice containing lovastatin can still be purchased |
| plaque, and eventually effectively narrow the | | | | online, and studies have shown it to significantly |
| arteries. This reduces the blood flow, and is called | | | | lower LDL cholesterol when compared to a |
| atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. If | | | | placebo. The mevinolin that contains the lovastatin |
| these are coronary arteries it is called coronary | | | | is a natural product, occurring naturally in red |
| artery disease, and you are at increased risk of a | | | | yeast rice, and lovastatin is not the only active |
| heart attack. If they are arteries in the brain, | | | | ingredient. If you decide to try it, make sure that |
| they are called cerebral vascular disease, and you | | | | you are not using any other cholesterol |
| are at risk of having a stroke. Either of these two | | | | treatments at the same time, and that you have |
| serious effects can result in death, and can be | | | | no existing liver condition. |
| caused by a blood clot. | | | | Like statins, it works by reducing the Coenzyme |
| An LDL cholesterol level of 160 mg/dl (milligrams | | | | Q-10 reductase content of your body, which |
| deciliter) is very dangerous, and if you have heart | | | | reduces the need for the liver to produce |
| problems your cholesterol level should be below | | | | cholesterol. However, some studies have shown |
| 100. However, about a third to a quarter of your | | | | that red yeast rice is more effective that |
| body’s cholesterol content is carried by | | | | pharmaceutical statins and reduces cholesterol by |
| high density lipoproteins, that are believed to carry | | | | a greater amount with fewer health problems. |
| cholesterol from the blood to the liver where it is | | | | However, like all natural remedies that are taken |
| processes and expelled from the body. A high | | | | for serious conditions, your physician might have |
| level of HDL cholesterol is therefore good for you | | | | the last say. |
| and a low level of HDL in your body (less than 40 | | | | There is still a considerable debate being carried |
| mg/dl for men and 50 for women) can also be | | | | out on the effects of cholesterol on the body, |
| dangerous. | | | | with both camps firmly entrenched. However, the |
| You ingest cholesterol from animal sourced foods, | | | | bulk of scientific and medical evidence suggests |
| such as meats, eggs and dairy products. Fruits | | | | that too high a LDL cholesterol level in the blood |
| and vegetables contain none. However, the liver | | | | can lead to artherosclerosis, and there is no |
| produces about 1 gram (1000 mg) of cholesterol | | | | debating the effects of that condition! It is safer |
| a day, while you consume only 150 – 200 | | | | to reduce your cholesterol level than to let it be, |
| mg from your diet. An American male can | | | | and a natural means of doing that must be better |
| consume an average of around 340 mg per day, | | | | than using prescription drugs. |
| while it should be limited to below 300. Saturated | | | | Red yeast rice has been shown to be effective |
| fatty acids and trans fats are responsible for the | | | | and the Chinese have yet to be shown to have |
| body’s cholesterol production, and you can | | | | suffered the predicted side effects of statins. |
| get these from vegetarian as well as animal | | | | However, as with any cure for a serious condition, |
| sources. | | | | the patient should be aware of the potential |
| So how can you reduce your cholesterol? You | | | | problems and their symptoms, and consult their |
| can get prescription medicines such as statins, bile | | | | doctor before taking any remedy. |
| acid sequestrants and fibrates, but all have some | | | | |