Red Yeast Rice & Policosanol, 60 Vegetarian Capsules, From LifeTime Vitamins

Red Yeast Rice & Policosanol, 60 Vegetarian Capsules, From LifeTime Vitamins

Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice has been used in China for centuries as both a food and as a medicinal substance. It is made by fermenting a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus over red rice. In Chinese , 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 medications that lower cholesterol. There is also growing interest in evaluating red yeast rice for use as a natural food dye and/or preservative.

The overlap of red yeast rice use as both a and a food in traditional Chinese practice is mirrored by a modern day controversy in the United States. Currently, red yeast rice is classified as a dietary supplement by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA); however, given its contents and function, there are many who feel that it is actually being used as an unregulated medication. There is ongoing debate, therefore, about whether to change the status of red yeast rice to a —which would require much greater regulation.

Policosanol

Policosanol is a unique natural product derived from sugar cane wax and beeswax: It has proved effective at reducing cholesterol levels and for some individuals may be a reasonable natural alternative to the commonly prescribed statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Most research using the sugarcane-derived form of policosanol has been conducted in Cuba, in both animals and humans. The studies showed that policosanol not only reduced cholesterol levels, but also had positive effects on other cardiac risk factors, through actions such as reducing platelet clumping and inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis. A 2002 analysis in the American Heart Journal reviewed more than 60 clinical trials of sugar cane-derived policosanol that involved more than 3000 patients. The authors concluded that policosanol is a very promising phytochemical alternative to classic lipid-lowering agents such as statins.

This could be welcome news for some of the 30 million Americans who are currently using the expensive statindrugs. Some studies indicated that policosanol is not only equal to, but may possibly even be somewhat more effective than statins or fibrates in lowering total and LDL cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol, or HDL. One study showed that patients taking the standard daily 10 mg dose of policosanol experienced a 17% drop in total cholesterol, a 25.6% drop in LDL cholesterol, and a 28.4% rise in HDL cholesterol. These percentages are equal to results obtained with statin medications.

Some studies confirmed the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol in specific groups, including post-menopausal women, the elderly, and people who have both diabetes and heart disease. In addition, policosanol was effective in treating intermittent claudication, a condition in which poor circulation in the legs causes severe leg pain during exercise. Because policosanol reduces the tendency of blood to clot by reducing the stickiness of blood platelets, the tiny particles involved in clotting, it may help prevent cardiovascular disease in a manner similar to aspirin.

During the research, study participants reported very few side effects. Because of this, policosanol may require less monitoring with blood tests than statin medications do. Although it appears there are no major side effects with policosanol, some people have reported weight loss, rashes, migraines, insomnia or drowsiness, irritability, dizziness, upset stomach, and nose and gum bleeding.

Policosanol is usually taken once or twice a day. Some nutritional supplementhy substances such as Coenzyme Q10 and antioxidants.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 30
	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Red Yeast Rice Extract (Monascus purpureus) (plant)	1,200 mg	*
Policosanol (from sugar cane extract) (Scharum officinarum L)	25 mg	*
* Daily Value not established.