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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Red Yeast Rice Effective In Lowering Cholesterol?

I ve been taking red yeast rice for several years in opposition to taking a statin drug to lower my cholesterol. My blood work shows that it is still higher than recommended, but it is staying stable. Do you consider red yeast rice to actually be beneficial or just a waste of money? I ve heard both sides.....
Thu, 20 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi ! Thank you for posting your questions here.

I would say that Red yeast rice its a good suplemenet and yes it's known to low blood cholesterol cause it has Monacolin K the ingredient that is part of Lovastatin drug also .

But the reason that are a lot of comments about it , is that it's not a study yet about the safety and the amount of the effect we take while from using it.

In your case after using for a long time Red yeast rice and the cholesterol is still high , I would recommend to start a real drug for it.Cause Red yeast is supposed to low high cholesterol also not only to maintain just in a unchanged level.And is not shown yet that is safe to use it for a long time .

I would say to go to your local doctor , to do the cholesterol level again , check your heart and according to the value you can start a good diet it lovastatin ( the real drug ) .

Wish these help.
It you have any other questions please feel fee to ask me again.
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Is Red Yeast Rice Effective In Lowering Cholesterol?

Hi ! Thank you for posting your questions here. I would say that Red yeast rice its a good suplemenet and yes it s known to low blood cholesterol cause it has Monacolin K the ingredient that is part of Lovastatin drug also . But the reason that are a lot of comments about it , is that it s not a study yet about the safety and the amount of the effect we take while from using it. In your case after using for a long time Red yeast rice and the cholesterol is still high , I would recommend to start a real drug for it.Cause Red yeast is supposed to low high cholesterol also not only to maintain just in a unchanged level.And is not shown yet that is safe to use it for a long time . I would say to go to your local doctor , to do the cholesterol level again , check your heart and according to the value you can start a good diet it lovastatin ( the real drug ) . Wish these help. It you have any other questions please feel fee to ask me again.