High serum cholesterol levels have been identified by the American Heart Association as a risk factor in cardiovascular disease. According to American Heart Association data approximately 1 million Americans die annually of heart attacks and about 500 thousand suffer a stroke annually with 30% of stroke them resulting in death.

Research: In1999, the UCLA School of Medicine conducted a 12 week double blind placebo controlled study on the cholesterol lowering effects of a red yeast rice supplement in a group consuming a diet similar to the American Heart Association Step 1 diet (i.e. 30% of calories from fat <10% from saturated fat <300 mg cholestrerol daily) Eighty three healthy subjects (46 men and 37 women aged 34-78 years) with high cholestrol levels were treated with red yeast rice or placebo. Their blood fats were measured at weeks 8,9,11, and 12. The results were that total cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly between baseline and 8 weeks in the red yeast rice treated group compared with the placebo treated group (from 254 +/-36mg/dl to 208+/-31 mg/dl) LDL cholestrerol and total triacylglycerol were also reduced with the supplement. The authors of the study concluded that "red yeast rice significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total triacylglycerol concentration compared with placebo and provides a new, novel, food based approach to lowering cholesterol in the general population." *

HMG-CoA reductase

Humans and all other mammals produce the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductace HMG-CoA reductase) This enzyme is involved in the prodution of thousands of molecules, including cholesterol. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are substances which can interfere with the action of HMG-CoA reductase, including cholesterol production.** Studies involving yeast indicate that certain species provide HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.*** and modulate cholesterol biosynthesis****

Conclusion

Since the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme is involved in other metabolic processes besides cholesterol production, there are a few situations when red yeast rice products shouldn't be used. This includes if you are at risk for liver disease, if you have a serious infection; if you have undergone an organ transplant; or if yoy have a serious disease or physical disorder or have recently undergone major surgery. Even so, red yeast rice is aremarkably safe and effective dietary supplement for the majority of the population who desires to better control their cholesterol levels.*****

References

*Heber D,et al AmJ Clin Nutr(1999)69(2):231-6  

**Hampton R, Dimster-Denk D. Rine J. Trends Biochem Sci (1996)21(4):140-5

***Ibid

****BBasson ME, et al. Mol Cell Biol(1988)8(9):3797-808

*****Bruno, Intelligent Supplementation (2000)