| Red yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by the | | | | With records dating back to the fourteenth century, |
| addition of yeast to red rice and is incorporated into | | | | red yeast rice was used for the treatment of several |
| many natural dietary supplements. It contains natural | | | | maladies which included infections, circulatory problems, |
| HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which inhibit the | | | | and stomach ailments. In more recent times, cultures in |
| enzymatic reaction that is necessary for production of | | | | Japan, Thailand, India, Korea, and the Philippines use red |
| cholesterol in the body, especially in the liver. The liver is | | | | yeast rice in cookery as well as a therapeutic |
| considered to be the main site of cholesterol | | | | compound. The popularity of red yeast rice in |
| production, as it is responsible for over seventy-five | | | | European countries has just taken hold over the last |
| percent of our total cholesterol supply. | | | | few decades. |
| When cholesterol production is out of control, the liver | | | | Today, red yeast rice is used in foods such as meat |
| needs red yeast rice to inhibit its action and decrease | | | | products, poultry, fish, ketchup, chocolates, cereals, |
| cholesterol production. Many studies have confirmed | | | | jams, and beverages a rich, stable red color. Using red |
| that red yeast rice has the ability to reduce total | | | | yeast rice is a great nontoxic way to color foods plus |
| cholesterol by a significant percentage. It has also been | | | | it remains stable even when it is exposed to high |
| found that red yeast rice contains unsaturated fats | | | | temperatures. When looking at medicinal value, |
| that may also help reduce serum lipids or blood fats | | | | scientists have classified many different species from |
| that we call triglycerides. | | | | red yeast. Scientific studies have confirmed that |
| Red yeast rice supplements are made for individuals | | | | pharmacological qualities of this substance, especially |
| who suffer from cholesterol levels that are moderately | | | | when looking at its ability to reduce LDL cholesterol |
| high. When supplementing with red yeast rice, one | | | | and blood triglycerides or fats. |
| should incorporate the supplement into an overall | | | | Although adverse effects to red yeast rice have been |
| therapeutic strategy that utilizes diet and exercise. | | | | rare and are considered very mild, the list includes |
| Instead of viewing red yeast rice supplements as a | | | | heartburn, flatulence, and dizziness. If you are thinking |
| cure for a condition, they should be looked at as a | | | | of supplementing with red yeast rice, be sure to check |
| natural way to help maintain desirable cholesterol | | | | your cholesterol levels after a two-month course of |
| levels. Anyone who has high cholesterol levels should | | | | therapy. Anyone who is taking prescription drugs to |
| talk to their physician before starting any new natural | | | | control cholesterol levels should not take red yeast rice |
| supplements. If your level is about 230, try talking to | | | | without their doctor's approval. Additionally, people who |
| you doctor about using red yeast rice therapy before | | | | suffer from yeast allergies or have liver disease or |
| going on any prescription drugs. | | | | infection should not use red yeast rice supplements |
| Red yeast rice has long been used in Asian cuisine, | | | | with out consulting a doctor. If you are pregnant or |
| with usage dating back to 800 A.D. In south China, red | | | | breast-feeding you should avoid the use of red yeast |
| yeast rice has been consumed as food stuff and also | | | | rice supplements. |
| as a medicinal agent for over two thousand years. | | | | |