Red Yeast Rice and Cholesterol (cont.)
Who are suitable candidates for red yeast rice
products?
There is not yet consensus among scientists and doctors as to the role, if any, of red yeast rice in treating elevated cholesterol. Therefore a doctor familiar with a patient's personal medical condition and his/her family history of
heart diseases should be prescribing cholesterol-lowering measures. Generally in the United States, when
diet,
weight loss, and
exercise are insufficient in lowering cholesterol to optimal levels, many doctors recommend using a statin drug since large long-term trials have consistently shown that statins
[such as pravastatin
(Pravachol), simvastatin
(Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and
atorvastatin (Lipitor)] are safe and effective in lowering LDL cholesterol and decreasing the risk of heart attacks and
strokes. Although
similar studies are not available for red yeast rice products, given the minimal
amounts of cholesterol lowering substances that they are allowed to contain in
the U.S., it would be expected that legal red yeast rice products would not be
very effective at lowering cholesterol levels.
Who are not suitable candidates for red yeast rice?
Patients with moderate to severe cholesterol abnormalities, and patients who are at high risk of developing heart attacks or strokes are not candidates for red yeast rice. Examples of patients that are at high risk of heart attacks include patients who had prior heart attacks and strokes, patients with diabetes mellitus, and patients with atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the brain and to the extremities (peripheral artery disease). In these patients, red yeast rice containing legal amounts of cholesterol lowering substances (along with weight loss, diet, and exercise) is not potent enough to achieve the degree of cholesterol lowering desired.
References: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1999; 69:231-7)
Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2009
Prevention & Wellness RSS
