Red Yeast Rice Extract

Red Yeast Rice Extract

Red yeast rice extract comes from yeast, a type of fungus, which grows on rice. The yeast has been used for hundreds of years in China both as a food source and as a traditional form of natural medicine. It's popular as a natural alternative to cholesterol-lowering medications. A number of studies support the health benefits of red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed it has similar cholesterol-reducing benefits to the popular prescription medication pravastatin. Doctors often prescribe pravastatin for people with a cholesterol level that's too high. Red yeast rice contains natural compounds called monacolins. These block the production of cholesterol in the same way statin medications do. However, sometimes the monacolins are removed from red yeast rice extract products. Consumers wishing to lower their cholesterol need to check the ingredients to make sure the monacolins are present in the product. Some doctors recommend red yeast rice extract for patients that experience side effects from prescription cholesterol treatment. More research is needed to determine if red yeast rice is truly effective at lowering cholesterol. It's important to check with your doctor before taking red yeast rice to make sure you're a good candidate.

What You Should Know Before Taking Red Rice Yeast Extract

The effects of red yeast rice extract vary from person to person. It's possible to experience side effects from red yeast rice extract.