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Red Yeast Rice Decreases Risk of Adverse Cardiac Events
September 17, 2008
Physicians with an eye towards reducing coronary heart disease may soon be adding another piece of advice to their traditional stop-smoking, get-some-exercise, lose-weight-now message: eat some red yeast rice.
Researchers from three universities—the University of Tromso in Norway, Shanghai University of Traditional Medicine and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine conducted a review of 93 randomized trials that tested the effectiveness of three different red yeast rice preparations—Cholestin, Xuezhikang, and Zhibituo—on blood cholesterol levels. The red yeast rice preparations were found to be as effective at lowering lipid cholesterol levels as some statin drugs.(1)
Another study recently published by the American Journal of Cardiology found that the consumption of Xuezhikang (XZK), a partially purified extract of red yeast rice, decreases the risk of an adverse cardiac event. Led by Dr. David M. Capuzzi, researchers recruited 3986 men and 884 women for the study. Each study participant, who was a heart attack survivor with high cholesterol levels, was assigned to take either a capsule of X2K or a placebo twice daily while discontinuing other cholesterol-lowering medications. The average treatment duration was 4.5 years.
Over the course of the study, 4.9% of subjects taking the placebo suffered another non-fatal heart attack, compared to 1.9% of those taking the X2K. In addition, 4.2% of the placebo-taking patients required a procedure to clear blocked arteries, as opposed to 2.8% of those taking X2K. The total mortality rate was also lower in the group taking red yeast (5.2% versus 7.7%).(2)
Because it is not a regulated product, the FDA has raised concerns over the quality and safety of over-the-counter red yeast rice supplements. Because of the wide variation in active compounds between brands and the potential for citrinin contamination (citrinin is a suspected toxin which is produced in the fermentation process), consumers should exercise caution in product selection. On a more positive note, red yeast rice has been used in China for over 1,000 years to improve circulation, soothe upset stomachs, and invigorate the spleen.
Consumerlab.com tested ten red yeast dietary supplements sold in the United States. The supplements were tested for levels of monacolins (the active cholesterol-lowering ingredient), citrinin (a toxin), and lead. None of the products were found to contain lead. In addition, several supplements were found to contain adequate levels of monacolins without being tainted by citrinin. Brands recommended by consumerlab.com include Nature’s Plus Red Yeast Rice, Schiff Red Yeast Rice, Cholestene Red Yeast Rice, and 21st Century Red Yeast Rice.
Although red yeast rice is not without possible minor side effects (dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort), any side affects associated with red yeast rice are generally significantly less than the pharmaceutical statin drugs traditionally prescribed for high cholesterol.
Note: consumption of red rice yeast or statin-like drugs lowers co-enzymeQ10 levels, which are very important for coronary health. As a result, co-enzymeQ10 supplements are generally recommended when supplementing with red rice yeast.
(1)Liu J. Zhang J, Shi Y, Grimsgaard S, Alraek T, Fonnebo V. National Research Centre in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromso, Tromso N-9037, Norway.
(2) Effect of Xuezhikang, an extract from red yeast Chinese rice, on coronary events in a Chinese population with previous myocardial infarction. Lu Z - Am J Cardiol - 15-JUN-2008; 101(12): 1689-93
Topics: Health News