The Health Benefits of Red Yeast Rice

In most Asian countries, probably the most popular rice is the common white rice which proves to be healthy in some ways. But, do you know that there is another type of rice that is highly more beneficial than the regular rice that we are used to having in our dinner tables?

Red yeast rice may not look good or delicious to some but it has many health benefits that everyone will surely love. Also popular in many Asian countries, red yeast rice is proven to greatly lower our cholesterol level that the liver produces. When fermented under specific conditions, red yeast rice can contain high levels of lovastatin, which is a cholesterol lowering drug.

This type of rice is only produced when rice is fermented using a certain type of yeast. It is then fermented under carefully controlled conditions using specific strains of yeast. However, if not done correctly and properly, red yeast rice may not be able to contain lovastatin and may not be effective in lowering our cholesterol levels.

As health benefits of red yeast rice have been exposed to the world, a lot of people now are looking at such type of rice as a much safer alternative to statins. Statins are prescripted cholesterol medications that are known to be accompanied with side effects like muscle pains all over the body.

But how does red yeast rice work in lowering our cholesterol levels? With mevinic acid specifically lovastatin, HMG-CoA reductase is blocked. Such enzyme is responsible for rapid rates of cholesterol production. Thus, the liver is then successfully slowed down in its production of cholesterol.

Aside from lovastatin, red yeast rice also contains plant sterols such as beta sitosterol which can also effectively lower our cholesterol levels. Moreover, it may also contain isoflavones or strogen like compounds.

Red yeast rice has also been proven to lessen the risk of heart attacks. In a recent study, it showed that patients in China who took red yeast rice as a daily food supplement are 45 % less likely to experience another heart attack within five years.
However, unlike conventional drugs, red yeast rice is unregulated so it is very risky as you won't know the exact amount of active ingredients you’re consuming and whether it's been contaminated.

But then, recent studies revealed that red yeast rice may also have the same negative side effects with statins and may cause liver problems. This is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is carefully monitoring manufacturers of red yeast rice that contains lovastatin. Red yeast rice is safe for children when used as food but is totally unsafe if used as supplements.