Have You Heard About Red Yeast Rice? Pros and Cons

Red Yeast Rice

I have always been conscious of my health, and I try to live a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly. However, a few years ago, my doctor informed me that my cholesterol levels were slightly elevated, and she recommended that I make some dietary changes. She suggested that I try Red Yeast Rice, a natural supplement that can help lower cholesterol levels.

Of course, before I take any supplements I like to investigate the pros and cons of them. I do like to go the natural route as much as possible for health supplements. I would rather avoid prescription drugs if I can. That’s not to say that herbal medicines are safe but from what I have learned in researching different supplements, they tend to have less side-effects.

What is it?

First of all, let me tell you what it actually is. It is not a rice or something you cook with. It is a supplement. It “is a substance that’s extracted from rice that’s been fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. It’s been used in China and other Asian countries for centuries as a traditional medicine. It’s also used as a food coloring, additive, and preservative.” (1)

The interesting thing about Red yeast rice is that it is said to contain chemicals that are similar to prescription statin medications. One of these ingredients is called monacolin K. This ingredient has the same makeup as the statin prescription drugs. 

The Pros

As you may know, doctors prescribe statins to lower LDL (also known as the “bad”) cholesterol levels and help reduce the risk of heart disease. Red yeast rice naturally contains some ingredients that may help control cholesterol levels. The most important ingredients are monacolins. But, the most important one is monacolin K.  In addition to the monacolins, it also contains sterols, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fatty acids which are the healthy fats.

There has been some research on its use for the specific condition of high cholesterol. According to webmd, “research shows that red yeast rice containing considerable amounts of monacolin K can lower your total blood cholesterol level, your low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol level and your triglyceride level.

As I was digging into this supplement, I found that it might have some of the same side effects as statin prescription drugs. Like most natural supplements, they are not regulated by the FDA. This means that some of the products might contain only small amounts of monacolin K and potentially have little effect on cholesterol levels.

The Cons

I did find that there are several cautions when it comes to this supplement. I was a little surprised but I want to be open with you on what I find and talk about on my blog.

First let me run through the side effects that I found you might have when using this supplement. They tend to be mild but you could suffer from dizziness, gas, headaches, heartburn, and abdominal discomfort.

I did find that there are some possible interactions as well. I will run through these.

• Alcohol. Don’t drink alcohol if you are taking red yeast rice. The combination might increase the risk of liver damage.
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). Taking this immunosuppressive drug with red yeast rice might increase the risk of myopathy.
• Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors. Taking red yeast rice with drugs, such as erythromycin, that inhibit this enzyme might increase the risk of harmful red yeast rice side effects.
• Grapefruit. Drinking grapefruit juice and taking red yeast rice might increase the risk of the supplement’s harmful side effects.
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid). Taking this cholesterol drug with red yeast rice might increase the risk of myopathy.
• Hepatotoxic drugs, herbs and supplements. Red yeast rice might contain monacolin K, which can cause liver damage in some people. Taking red yeast rice with these types of drugs, herbs and supplements could increase the risk of liver damage.
• Niacin. Taking red yeast rice with high-dose niacin might increase the risk of myopathy.
• St. John’s wort. Taking this supplement with red yeast rice might reduce the effectiveness of red yeast rice.
• Statin. Taking red yeast rice with other statins might increase the risk of harmful side effects. (2,3)

Other Options

In addition to Red Yeast Rice, there are other things you can do to lower your cholesterol. If you want to forgo the supplement, you can make some other lifestyle changes.

You know all of that “junk” food you like? So do I, but things like potato chips, pizza, fried foods, cakes, cookies… all have trans fats. You know – the ones that are really bad for you. So opt for something like carrot sticks instead of chips. And grab that apple when you crave something sweet. The less processing your food has, the better it is for you.

Another thing you can do is to exercise. If you get bored exercising inside, get outside. Go for a hike or go for a bike ride. Just be sure to get up and get moving. I know that I feel off when I don’t get my workouts in during the week.

We have all heard that fiber is great for our heart. You can get that in foods like oatmeal, apples, and beans. These are all high in soluble fiber. Think of fiber as the sponge that soaks up the cholesterol. 

And one of my favorite meals is salmon. Adding a fatty fish to your meal line up to replace a red meat meal two times a week will do wonders for your heart! Those omega-3’s are great!

Olive oil – no not from Popeye, but the kind you use on your salads and dip for breads. It has a unique flavor that I really enjoy. I spice mine up a bit by adding some cracked pepper to it.

So you see, there are options to supplementing. You have to weigh what your options are and what works best for you.

What Did I Do?

I started taking Red Yeast Rice every day for a few months, and I began to notice some changes in my body. Firstly, I was less fatigued, and I had more energy throughout the day. Additionally, my cholesterol levels started to decrease gradually, and I was able to maintain a healthy level.

One of the things I love about Red Yeast Rice is that it is a natural product. It is made by fermenting rice with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. The yeast produces a compound called monacolin K, which is similar to the active ingredient in statin medications that are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.

Taking Red Yeast Rice is easy. I take two capsules a day with a glass of water, usually with my breakfast or dinner. The capsules are small and easy to swallow, and I never experience any side effects.

I have been taking Red Yeast Rice for over two years now, and I have seen a significant improvement in my overall health. Not only has my cholesterol level decreased, but I have also noticed an improvement in my digestion and immunity. I rarely get sick, and I feel more alert and focused during the day.

One of the things I love about taking Red Yeast Rice is that it is a safe and natural alternative to prescription medications. While some people may experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, or stomach upset, I have never had any negative reactions to it.

I also appreciate that Red Yeast Rice is affordable and accessible. I can purchase it online or at my local health food store, and it costs a fraction of what I would pay for a prescription medication. Plus, I feel good knowing that I am taking a natural supplement that supports my body’s natural processes.

So, you may be wondering what do I think? After looking at all of the information and interactions and precautions, I still think it is a good choice for me. My cholesterol levels are fine, and I want to keep them that way. Not only do I think that taking the right vitamins and supplements are important for living a healthy life, I also think that the right diet and exercises are important as well. Supplements are not the be all for the end all. The bottom line is to make sure you maintain a healthy balance and a healthy life.

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