Red yeast rice is a traditional Asian food that dates back to 800 AD. Scientific studies have shown that red yeast rice can help to support healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. It is organically grown in the USA and is free of citrinin, a toxin that can be found in fermented foods. CoQ10, milk thistle and n-acetylcysteine are included for added liver support.
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of mortality in the United States. One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is elevated total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
There are several categories of prescription drugs that are designed to help lower cholesterol; the most commonly prescribed being the Statin drugs. Statins are effective at lowering total and LDL cholesterol, but they are associated with significant side effects.
Many individuals with elevated cholesterol have been able to improve their cardiovascular health through diet, exercise and nutraceutical supplements. One of the nutraceuticals that has been shown in research studies to support normal LDL and total cholesterol levels is red yeast rice.
Red yeast rice is the product of yeast (Monascus purpureus) grown on rice and it contains several compounds collectively known as monacolins that work similar to statin drugs and support the mechanisms that can lead to improved cardiovascular health.
Taking red yeast rice for extended periods of time could affect CoQ10 levels because the mechanism of action of red yeast rice and statin medications are similar. It is also important to support healthy liver function when taking red yeast rice or statin medication.
Therefore, Red Yeast Rice Plus is combined with CoQ10 as well as compounds like N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and standardized milk thistle. N-acetyl-cysteine plays a critical role in regenerating glutathione, an important antioxidant and detoxing compound found in the liver. Milk thistle has been shown to protect hepatic cells and support healthy liver function and detoxification.