Red yeast rice is good for you
THE health benefits of red yeast rice have been known for generations. In ancient China, this humble ingredient has been consumed for its health benefits.
Commonly used in the Fujian region of China for culinary use, red yeast rice was also used in traditional Chinese herbology and medicine.
Lowering lipids and reducing cardiovascular risk
Known as a traditional medicine, its effectiveness in lowering lipids and reducing cardiovascular risk is supported by clinical evidence.
In one recent study ( Annals of Internal Medicine 2009 Jun 16;150(12):830-9, W1479.), researchers found that LDL (bad) cholesterol levels decreased by an average of 35 mg/ dL in those taking red yeast rice for a period of six months and their total cholesterol levels also improved more.
The efficacy of red yeast rice also has been studied in large randomised controlled trials, with results that have been published in reputed journals.
A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology on June 15, 2008 done on 4,870 people who have suffered a heart attack found favourable results – those who consumed an extract of red yeast rice for five years reduced their risk of repeat heart attacks by 45%.
It also lowered their chances of having a heart procedure such as bypass surgery or angioplasty and even appeared to reduce their risk of cancer by as much as one-third.
This study also examined the effects of red yeast rice on different population subgroups.
When assessed in hypertensive patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), red yeast rice treatment resulted in reduction of coronary event incidence by 43%, deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) by 30% and allcause mortality by 35.8% (p=0.001).
In elderly hypertensive patients with previous MI, red yeast rice also conferred similar benefits of significant risk reduction in recurrent coronary events (38.2%), total coronary events (38.2%) and all-cause mortality (36.3%).
In Type 2 diabetes patients with CHD, red yeast rice was shown to be effective, reducing CHD event risk by 50.8% and decreasing the risk of non-fatal MI by 63.8%, fatal MI by 58.5%, CHD sudden death by 26.9% and other CHD deaths by 53.4%.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the dos- age of dietary or supplemental red yeast rice is as high as 6,000 to 9,000 mg per day, but the appropriate dosage for adults may vary, depending on the form of the supplement. Standardised extracts of 600-1200mg (oral doses) have been used in scientific studies to date.
Scientists generally believe that red yeast rice is safe in the long term as it has been a staple food for thousands of years in Asia without reports of toxicity.
However, not all red yeast rice products contain the same concentration of cholesterol-lowering ingredients.
Therefore, it is important to choose a product made under stringent quality control and standardisation that conforms to Ministry of Health regulations.
ASIApharm Biotech produces red yeast rice from mixing and fermenting premium rice and Monascus purpureus Went spp using its unique, patented solid state fermentation technique carried out under tightly controlled conditions to ensure a finished product of high quality and consistency.
Its red yeast rice product has passed Phase II clinical trial in the United States and is going on to Phase III, having been exempted from Phase I trial.
On Jan 11, 2013, at the China Medicines’ Innovation Strategy-International Seminar on Phase II Clinical Outcomes of Xuezhikang, co-organised by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and LuyePharma Group in Beijing, Phase II clinical outcomes of Xuezhikang (Red Yeast Rice) were announced.
One of the major researchers of Phase II Clinical Outcomes of Xuezhikang in the United States reported research findings that Xuezhikang can significantly lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients while elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
No significant adverse reactions were found. The success of this research has laid a solid foundation for Phase III clinical research. Innovative drug development and internationalisation were also discussed at the seminar.
Red yeast rice supplements are suitable for those over 20 who are looking to improve or maintain general health and those looking to lower and maintain cholesterol levels. However, it is not recommended during pregnancy or while nursing.
This article is contributed by ASIApharm Biotech Sdn Bhd.