Non-prescription Cholesterol Lowering – Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice (RYR), a product of the rice with the mold Monascus purpureus, has been used in China for centuries to treat circulatory and digestive disorders – and apparently without a little controversy. RYR has been used in the United States for a much shorter period of time (as a supplement without a prescription anti-cholesterol), and has generated much controversy.The controversy and confusion in RYRThe dispute began in 1999, shortly after the first clinical trial showed that cholesterol could RYR significantly smaller effect. At that time, came to the attention of the FDA that the RYR effectiveness relates to the fact that it contains a natural form of statin, lovastatin (sold as Mevacor). Therefore, the FDA decided that RYR is an adjustment of medication, so I ordered it off the shelves.
The FDA decision was initially rejected by the District Court of Utah in 1999 but in 2000 the U.S. 10 Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the FDA that RYR can be controlled. So RYR can still be sold legally in the United States, but only if measures were taken in the manufacturing process to remove lovastatin (probably the removal efficiency).
Then in 2007, the FDA discovered that at least some U.S. RYR still contained lovastatin, and (after issuing a formal warning by the FDA consumer safety) has adopted new measures to purge stale “products from their shelves.
Today, as the FDA is concerned, the RYR that can be purchased in the U.S. not contain lovastatin. But otherwise, RYR still considered a dietary supplement, so its design and content is not yet regulated – and it is very difficult if not impossible, to know what it contains. (This is the case with any dietary supplement without a prescription.)
But does it work?
Given all this confusion, two clinical trials published in recent years show that at least some RYR available legally in the U.S. still effective in reducing cholesterol.
In 2009, a study in Pennsylvania showed that 60 patients had to stop taking statins and muscle pain taking RYR and initiate changes in lifestyle for 24 weeks significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol compared with those taking a placebo and the same changes in lifestyle.
And in 2010, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reported that in patients who have had to stop taking statins and muscle pain, RYR has been as effective as 20 mg / day statin pravastatin (Pravachol) to reduce cholesterol. (Both RYR and Pravachol produces a very low incidence of recurrent muscle pain.)
In the 2009 study, researchers performed a chemical analysis of formal RYR product they used in their study (Sylvan Bioproducts in Kittanning, Pennsylvania). They found that the content RYR Monacolin K (the natural form of lovastatin), and eight Monacolin other (statins or substances such as statins).
The result of chemical analysis suggest two things. First, they are available in the RYR United States apparently still contains at least part of lovastatin, and secondly, even if all were eliminated completely lovastatin (which seems to be much harder to do that FDA believes ) other similar chemicals in RYR can be effective in reducing cholesterol.
Should I take RYR?
RYR seems to be taking at least a reasonable consideration if you are looking for a form of cholesterol without a prescription. However, what I really want to do is have varying amounts of some substances such as statins. It is impossible to say, a manufacturer, or even a bottle, which are actually buying.
If you want to lower cholesterol without losing your shirt for the big pharmaceutical companies, ask your doctor about generic statin. Are easily accessible and can even be cheaper than RYR – and as a bonus, the dose will be truly known, and can be controlled and adjusted to optimize results.
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