Red Yeast Rice
This is commonly used as a natural remedy to help lower cholesterol levels and promote heart health, and can sometimes have fewer adverse side effects than prescription drugs used to treat high cholesterol.
Red Yeast Rice Extract (RYRE)
This is a substance that’s extracted from rice that’s been fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. It’s been used in China and other Asian countries for centuries as a traditional medicine. It’s also used as a food coloring, additive, and preservative.
RYRE naturally contains several ingredients that may help control cholesterol levels. These include a number of monacolins, most importantly monacolin K. It also contains sterols, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fatty acids, or “healthy fats.”
Health Benefits of Red Yeast Rice Extract
Red yeast rice offers various health benefits for people who take it. Among them include:
- Lowers Cholesterol:
One of the primary uses for red yeast rice is to lower cholesterol. The chemicals found in red yeast rice lower the amounts of “bad” cholesterol (also known as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL) in the body by lowering its production in the liver.
- Lowers Blood Sugar:
Studies have shown that taking red yeast rice supplements, along with having a healthy diet, may help lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. The red yeast rice contributes to lower lipid (fat) levels in the blood, which helps to lower blood sugar levels.
- Lowers Stroke Risk:
Since red yeast rice helps to lower cholesterol, it can also decrease your chances of having a stroke. Low cholesterol reduces the risk of developing dangerous blood clots, which can break and cause strokes and heart attacks. Red yeast rice can also reduce your risk of other diseases caused by high blood pressure, like chest pain (angina) and heart failure.
- Improves Blood Circulation:
Plaques in blood vessels also clog arteries and reduce circulation. Red yeast rice has been shown to help improve circulation, allowing wounds to heal more quickly and letting your body function at its best.
Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice Extract;
- Headache
- Stomach ache or bloating
- Gas
- Dizziness
- Heartburn
- Muscle aches and weakness.
Written by Lucy Ebube