Let’s talk about Red Rice Yeast -What Are The Benefits, Side Effect, And Dosage?
Red Rice Yeast is a bright reddish purple fermented rice; it is cultivated with the mold monasucus purpureus.
Red rice yeast is referred to as ‘’red rice koji’’ in Japanese, which means grain or bean overgrown with a mold culture. The yeast has been in existence in Japanese for decades ca.300 BC.
Also, red yeast rice has often be used by Chinese herbology and traditional Chinese machine for centuries.
In China, it has been documented as the Tang Dynasty in 800 AD. The existence of this yeast has made it unique not to miss a bit of it.
Red yeast rice is naturally used as a remedy to lower high cholesterol levels.
Red yeast rice is a natural supplement that contains active ingredients found in prescription medications.
However, exclusive research shows that the benefits of red yeast rice are numerous such as correcting cholesterol levels, benefit inflammation, metabolic syndrome, blood sugar levels, and more.
Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage for Red Rice Yeast.
Red yeast rice contains the compound monacolin K. Monacolin K is the same active ingredient seen in prescription cholesterol-lowering medications like lovastatin.
Basically, it’s often used as a cost-effective alternative to pricey medications to help reduce cholesterol levels and support heart health.
However, other researched benefits of red yeast rice are, it helps to reduce cancer cell growth to improved blood sugar and insulin levels.
1. It Promote Heart Health
According to research, recently, cardiovascular disease has become a serious condition that affects millions of people and is estimated to account for 31.5% of deaths worldwide.
The major cause of heart disease is high cholesterol levels. Observational studies show that high cholesterol can trigger the narrow and stiffen, leading to increased heart attack and stroke risk.
To boost good heart health, red rice yeast has been recently used as a natural remedy to help lower cholesterol levels and promote heart health, often with fewer adverse side effects than prescription drugs used to treat high cholesterol.
According to professional research, a review of 21 studies discovered that red yeast rice was effective at reducing levels of total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides and blood pressure when combined with statin drugs.
2.Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a health condition that increases your risk of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The major criteria for metabolic syndrome include high blood pressure, increased blood sugar, excess body fat, and alterations in cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Observational studies have shown that red rice yeast may help treat some of these risk factors and could be used as a natural treatment to help prevent it.
The most interesting and research effects are its ability to lower cholesterol. Studies show that it can effectively reduce both total and LDL cholesterol levels.
Also, some studies of 18-week found that a supplement containing red yeast rice was able to insulin levels, reduce blood sugar and systolic blood pressure (the top number of a reading) in people with metabolic syndrome.
3.It Could Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to fight against harmful infections, injuries, and toxins to heal itself.
According to studies, sustained inflammation is the major contributor to chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Research shows that adding supplements with red rice yeast may help reduce inflammation and promote better health over time.
For instance, a study in 50 people with metabolic syndrome showed that taking a supplement containing red rice yeast and olive extract reduced levels of oxidative stress, a key cause of chronic inflammation, by up to 20%.
4. It Contains Anticancer Properties
This research is still lacking in animal and test-tube studies; professional evidence has it that red yeast rice may help reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells.
According to observational studies, Medical laboratory scientists gave red yeast rice powder to mice with prostate cancer, which significantly decreased tumor volume.
Also, a test-tube study discovered that treating prostate cancer cells with red yeast rice decreased the growth drastically than lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering medication with anticancer effects.
To perfect the prove, more research is required in other to ascertain the effects of red yeast rice on other types of cancer in humans.
Minimal Monacolin K is found in some Supplements.
Monacolin K? Monacolin K is the active compound found in red rice yeast extracted and used in cholesterol-lowering statins and medications.
The FDA suggested that red yeast rice products with monacolin K should be considered a drug, enforcing stricter regulations than standard over-the-counter supplements.
Since 1998, the FDA has taken action against several companies selling red yeast rice extract, noting that it’s illegal to market these products as supplements in the US.
In recent years, several red yeast rice supplements have popped up, many of which evade FDA regulations by containing only trace amounts of monacolin K.
However, it remains unclear how effective these products really are and whether they have the same benefits on health as true red yeast rice.
May Cause Side Effects for Some People
Every pro has cons attached. Despite the benefits of red yeast rice, taking it as a supplement may have some adverse effects.
Some common side effects of red yeast rice include gastrointestinal problems like bloating, gas, and stomach pain.
However, in some serious cases, it can also cause issues like muscle problems, liver toxicity, and allergic reactions; these issues are similar to the side effects caused by prescription cholesterol-lowering medications.
It’s important to stick to the recommended dosage and buy from a reputable retailer to ensure you’re getting the best quality.
The reason is that research is still limited on the long-term safety of red yeast rice; it’s also not recommended for those currently taking statins or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Consult with any health care provider if you notice any adverse symptoms after taking red yeast rice.
Dosage Recommendations
Red rice yeast is available in capsule or tablet form and sometimes formulated in combination with other ingredients, such as CoQ10, nattokinase, or omega-3 fatty acids.
Getting these supplements is not really difficult because it is widely available in health food stores, pharmacies, and online stores.
According to research, doses ranging from 200–4,800 mg have been studied in clinical trials, containing about 10 mg of total monacolin.
Most major supplement brands on the market recommend taking between 1,200–2,400 mg daily, divided into two to three doses.
Before intake the supplements, it is advised to talk with your doctor for safety purposes.
Conclusion on Red Rice Yeast
Red rice yeast has been shown to promote heart health and reduce cholesterol levels, inflammation, cancer cell growth, and metabolic syndrome risk factors.
Red rice yeast can cause gastrointestinal issues, allergic reactions, liver toxicity, and muscle problems and is strictly restricted for people taking statins or pregnant women, or breastfeeding.
However, many products on the market today contain minimal amounts of its active ingredient, potentially negating any health benefits associated with red rice extract.
Working closely with your doctor and selecting a high-quality supplement from a reputable brand is the best way to take advantage of the unique benefits that this potent ingredient has to offer.
