An inexpensive supplement, costing a mere 24p, might be the key to lowering “bad” cholesterol levels. According to research, this pill can offer comparable benefits to statins – widely used medications aimed at cholesterol reduction.
High cholesterol implies an excess of cholesterol, a type of fat, present in the bloodstream. An article by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explained that red yeast rice extract supplements could assist in reducing cholesterol.
Red yeast rice is a staple in Chinese cuisine, where it’s used for colouring dishes like pickled tofu and Peking duck, but it also comes in capsule form at health stores. BHFsaid: “Red yeast rice extract comes from fermentation of a type of yeast found in rice and is sold as a supplement,” which contains monacolin K.
“This ingredient is similar to lovastatin, a compound found in a particular statin medication, known for its potential to lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.” Evidence of these benefits was gathered from a scientific review encompassing 20 trials, published in the journal Atherosclerosis in 2015.
Participants taking red yeast rice supplements showed a reduction in “bad” cholesterol levels that was almost equivalent to those who were treated with a statin. The study highlighted the potential benefits of red yeast rice in managing cholesterol levels, finding that it can “significantly” decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
As reported by The Mirror, study authors stated, “Red yeast rice exerts a clinically and statistically significant reduction of 1.02 mmol/L low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.” Cholesterol is often categorised into two types: “good” and “bad”.
LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is known for accumulating on blood vessel walls, which can lead to a narrowing of the vessels over time. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered “good” cholesterol as it helps to lower overall cholesterol by transporting it back to the liver for removal from the body.
A total cholesterol level of five millimoles per litre (mmol/l) or less is deemed healthy. However, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has issued a caution regarding red yeast rice supplements.
It pointed out that “unlike statins, the amount of active ingredient in red yeast rice supplements can vary as complementary medicines are not as heavily regulated”. The charity said: “There is also a lack of research into whether the extract is safe long-term, so it’s not recommended.”
To reduce cholesterol levels in a healthy and sustainable way, the NHS advises:
- Eating less saturated fat
- Exercising more
- To stop smoking
- Cutting back on alcohol.
At the time of reporting, a jar of 90 red yeast rice extract could be bought online from Cytoplan for £22.40, working out as roughly 24p per tablet. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels you should speak to your doctor.