Known scientifically as monascus purpureus, or, in Chinese, Hung-chu or Hong-Qu, red yeast rice is a fermented product of rice on which red yeast has been grown. It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to promote "blood circulation".

Within red yeast rice are naturally occurring substances called monacolins, which inhibit an enzyme in the body called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is known to trigger cholesterol production.

My quest to find natural ways to lower cholesterol led me to red yeast rice some time ago. Let's get right to the statistics on this one.

The first study on the beneficial effects of red yeast rice was conducted in China, and it evaluated 324 adults who's total cholesterol was above 230 mg/dL, had elevated LDL (over 130 mg/dL) and low HDL (under 40 mg/dL) and the effect that 1.2 g of red yeast rice per day had on them versus controls. The results showed total cholesterol levels decreased by 23 %, LDL cholesterol dropped by 31 % and triglycerides dropped 34 % while serum HDL levels increased by 20 percent.

The second study included 83 hypercholesterolemic (total cholesterol was above 230 mg/dL) adults that were either given 2.4 g of red yeast rice daily or a placebo. The participants were then instructed to maintain a diet of 30-percent fat, 10-percent saturated fat and a maximum of 300 mg of cholesterol daily. After an eight-week period, the group that received the red yeast rice had an 18-percent lower total cholesterol level compared to the group that was given the placebo. They also had a 17-percent drop in total cholesterol from baseline. A 23-percent difference in LDL between the group given the red yeast rice and the placebo group was also evident. The treatment group had a 16 % decrease in triglycerides level as well.

Red yeast rice has been shown to be just as effective at lowering lipid cholesterol levels as statin drugs, including pravastatin (brand name Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and fluvastatin (Lescol). The difference is simple. Prescription statins can cause adverse effects such as reduced liver function, damage to muscles, depression, pain and sexual dysfunction.

Red yeast rice is available in capsule form in your local health food store. Three cholesterol-lowering products that have been found to be effective are Cholestin, Xuezhikang and Zhibituo, according to a study performed by researchers from the University of Tromso in Norway, Shanghai University of Traditional Medicine and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

* Important notes: High doses or prolonged use of Red Yeast Rice should be avoided. Supplementation of CoQ10 is also suggested when taking Red Yeast Rice.

It is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using Red Yeast Rice or any alternative therapies. The recommended doses are for those over age 18 unless otherwise stated. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.