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Red Yeast Rice Benefits Effect
on Cholesterol
Laboratory
studies have shown that the Monascus purpureus inhibits the
action of a body enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, known to raise
cholesterol which, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease.
Because of this inhibitory action, red yeast rice's therapeutic uses
include the prevention and treatment of high cholesterol (Bonovich,
K, Colfer H, Davidson M, Dujovne C, Greenspan M, Karlberg R, et al. A
Multi-Center, Self-Controlled Study of Cholestin In Subjects With
Elevated Cholesterol. American Heart Association. 39th
Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and
Prevention, Orlando, Fl. March 1999).
Effect
on Heart Disease
Taking
red yeast rice can help reduce and maintain healthy cholesterol
levels and promote blood circulation, thereby lowering the risk of
heart disease (Bonovich, K, Colfer H, Davidson M, Dujovne C,
Greenspan M, Karlberg R, et al. A Multi-Center, Self-Controlled Study
of Cholestin In Subjects With Elevated Cholesterol. American Heart
Association. 39th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular
Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Orlando, Fl. March 1999).
Other
Benefits
In
Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is used to promote blood
circulation, soothe upset stomach, and invigorate the function of the
spleen, a body organ that destroys old blood cells and filters
foreign substances. In addition, this dietary supplement has been
used traditionally for bruised muscles, hangovers, indigestion, and
colic in infants. Recently, it has been discovered that red yeast
rice contains substances that are similar to prescription medications
that lower cholesterol. There is also growing interest in evaluating
red yeast rice for use as a natural food dye and/or preservative
(Burnham TH, Sjweain SL, Short RM (eds). Monascus. In: The
Review of Natural Products.
St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1997).
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