What is Red Yeast Rice?
In order to produce red yeast the perfect conditions must be kept so that Monascus purpureus yeast can grow on the rice. The temperatures and growing conditions must be maintained carefully to encourage the growth of this yeast on the rice, and then the yeast must be carefully harvested, and manufactured for consumption by humans. Red yeast rice is the natural form of a statin.
Red yeast rice is used to add color to many oriental foods. Some of these foods include:
- Chinese Wine
- Japanese Sake
- Korean Rice Wine
- Peking Duck
- Red Rice Vinegar
- Pickled Tofu
It adds a subtle flavoring to the culinary dishes it is cooked into. Common Medical Uses for Red Yeast Rice Chinese medicine has used red yeast rice for many centuries to treat ailments such as:
- High Cholesterol
- Diarrhea
- Poor Blood Circulation
- Indigestion
- Spleen and Stomach Problems
- Blood Pressure Control
- Diabetes
- Heart Attack Prevention
Warnings about Red Yeast
The food and Drug Administration considers red yeast to be an unapproved medication because it works to lower cholesterol levels as effectively as many of the statins that are currently prescribed for high cholesterol. The Food and Drug Administration has not finished doing studies to confirm the safety of using red yeast rice, and they will not okay the usage until they do. In other countries red yeast rice is sold and used to treat medical conditions. You should use this product with caution and always tell your doctor about any supplement or natural vitamin that you are taking.
You cannot drink alcohol when you are taking red yeast rice. Red yeast rice is thought to possibly damage the liver and alcohol consumption is thought to harm the liver, so the two together could be devastating for people with liver conditions. Do not use red yeast rice if you are taking cyclosprine because cyclosporine is known to harm the muscles and red yeast rice could potentially harm muscles so combining the two could make you have muscle complications.
How Much Red Yeast to Take
If you are going to take red yeast for high cholesterol you should take 1,200 milligrams daily. If you have high cholesterol caused by HIV you should take no more than 1,200 milligrams per day.
You should take the red yeast by mouth. The red yeast products will provide about five to ten milligrams of lovastatin which is commonly prescribed to people who have high cholesterol.
Researchers and the Food and Drug Administration warn people about using red yeast rice without consulting their doctors because of the possible drug interactions, and side effects associated with red yeast rice. As always check with your doctors. Herbs for the most part can be integrated into your tradition medical regime to help you to take take less prescribed medications or to live safely with just natural herbs. Work with your medical doctors to find the right combination for you.