VITAMINS, HERBAL & ANTI-AGING

Cholesterol Control: Red Yeast Rice

:: Lowers mildly elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels
:: Improves blood circulation
:: The bioflavonoids in the product acts as an antioxidant

Who can Benefit from using Red Yeast Rice?
:: People with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels
:: People having circulation problems

Lowering LDL and increasing HDL cholesterol prevents atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque) of the heart’s arteries. Since atherosclerosis causes heart attacks, lowering the LDL and increasing HDL cholesterol should lower the risk of heart attacks. In fact, several large, long-term, placebo-controlled clinical trials have shown clearly that lowering LDL cholesterol with diet and statin drugs (pravastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) reduces the risk of heart attacks.

Not all people prefer the use of statins, and would rather follow a diet, exercise and use a more natural approach in lowering moderate levels of cholesterol. People with familial cholesterolemia however don’t have much of an option to use cholesterol-lowering drugs like the statins.

Red yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by the red yeast, Monascus purpureus. It has been used by the Chinese for many centuries as a food preservative, food colorant (it is responsible for the red color of Peking duck), spice, and ingredient in rice wine. Red yeast rice also has been used in China for over 1000 years for medicinal purposes. Red yeast rice was described in an ancient Chinese list of drugs as useful for improving blood circulation and for alleviating indigestion and diarrhea. Recently, red yeast rice has been developed by Chinese and American scientists as a product to lower blood lipids, including cholesterol and triglycerides.

Red yeast rice contains a natural cholesterol-lowering substance known as monacolin. Monacolin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that is important for the production of cholesterol in the body. Scientists have discovered a total of 8 monacolin-like substances thus far that have cholesterol-lowering properties.

Dosage & Directions for Use

Take 1-3 softgels per day or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Precautions, Contradictions, Side Effects

Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating woman. Seek advice from your healthcare practitioner while taking prescription medicine or diagnosed with an illness or disease. This product is a dietary supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For optimal results store below 25ºC in a cool, dry place and keep out of reach of children.

Patients with moderate to severe cholesterol abnormalities, at high risk of developing heart attacks or strokes are not candidates for red yeast rice. Examples of patients that are at high risk of heart attacks include patients who had prior heart attacks and strokes, patients with diabetes mellitus, and patients with atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the brain and to the extremities (peripheral artery disease). In these patients, red yeast rice (along with weight loss, diet, and exercise) usually is not potent enough to achieve the degree of cholesterol lowering desired.

Additional Information

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all body cells. It is mainly produced in the liver – cholesterol levels are however greatly influenced by the diet (the consumption of foods high in cholesterol and/or saturated fat increases levels, while a vegetarian diet, regular exercise, and nutrients like niacin and vitamin C can lower cholesterol).

Cholesterol is not all bad: the body needs it to digest food efficiently, make certain vitamins and hormones, and it assists with the formation of cell membranes. Cholesterol is transported in the blood by special carriers – LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

Although cholesterol plays an important role in the day-to-day functioning of the body, too much cholesterol can negatively affect health. Elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels lead to plaque-filled arteries, with impeded blood flow to the heart, kidneys, brain, extremities, and genitals. High cholesterol levels are among the primary causes of heart disease; high levels are also implicated in gallstones, mental impairment, high blood pressure, and impotence.

Recommended Cholesterol Levels
Total Cholesterol	< 5 mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol	< 3 mmol/L
HDL Cholesterol	> 1.2 mmol/L

Supplement Facts

Amount per Serving: 1 Capsule

Ingredient	Amount per serving	Role of Ingredient
Red yeast rice extract (standardized to a minimum of 1.7% total monacolins)	300mg	Lowers cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that is important for the production of cholesterol in the body
Citrus bioflavanoids	70mg	Antioxidant