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Cholesterol Facts

Cholesterol is found in every tissue in the body, and is vital to proper cell function. It is a waxy fatty substance produced by the liver, that helps the body manufacture essential hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol is also necessary to produce bile acids, which help break down the fats we eat.

Cholesterol is ushered through the bloodstream via “carriers” called lipoproteins. When cholesterol levels are high, fatty patches, or plaque, begin to accumulate along the arterial walls. Over time, other elements in the blood bind with the plaque, fixing it more firmly to the artery. Calcium deposited within the plaque, causes it to harden, narrowing the artery. This process, known as atherosclerosis, impedes the flow of blood, which can lead to a wide variety of health problems.

The narrowing and hardening processes can continue until the artery is so narrow that blood clots or thrombus form. These clots then wedge in the narrowed artery, completely blocking it and cutting off all blood flow to the organ or organs that the artery supplies. The result is serious tissue cell death.

The major contributor to atherosclerosis is the carrier known as low-density lipoprotein or LDL. Fortunately, the other carrier, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is capable of removing cholesterol from the blood vessels and transporting it back to the liver for disposal.

Obviously, it is better to have high levels of HDL, the “good cholesterol”, and lower levels of LDL, the “bad cholesterol”.

Studies on Red Yeast Rice

A recent study¹ conducted at the UCLA School of Medicine, USA demonstrated the beneficial effect of red yeast rice on high levels of cholesterol. This was a 12-week double blind controlled trial involving 83 participants with high cholesterol levels. One group was given the recommended dose of red yeast rice, while the other group received a placebo (something harmless but with no medicinal value). Both groups were put on a low-fat diet similar to the American Heart Association Step 1 diet*.

After only 8 weeks, the research and clinical trial recognized red yeast rice to be one of the best ways to achieve lower levels of total cholesterol. It was confirmed that red yeast rice significantly:
  • Lowered total cholesterol level by 18%
  • Lowered LDL by 22%
  • Increased HDL levels, and
  • Reduced triglycerides by 11%, in the treated group

There was little to no improvement in the placebo group.

Another study² placed 187 subjects with mild to moderately elevated levels of total cholesterol under the American Heart Association Step 1 diet* for 4 weeks and after that red yeast rice was given for 8 weeks. The diet alone for one month had no effect on cholesterol level. However, the 8-week treatment with red yeast rice reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and increased HDL-cholesterol.

¹ “Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary red yeast rice dietary supplement” was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 69 (2), 1999 and was conducted by Dr. David Heber and friends at the Center for Human Nutrition and Division of Clinical Nutrition.

² “A multi-center, self-controlled study of red yeast rice in subjects with elevated cholesterol” was published in the Current Therapeutic Research, Volume 58 (12), 1997 and directed by Dr. James Rippe, a director of the Center for Clinical and Lifestyle Research.

* Step 1 Diet: 30% or less energy from fat, 8-10% from saturated fat, 10% from polyunsaturated fats, 15% from monounsaturated fats and less than 300mg of cholesterol per day.

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