What is red yeast rice used for?
It is made by fermenting a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus over red rice. In Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is used to lower cholesterol, improve blood circulation, and improve digestion. Red yeast rice contains chemicals that are similar to prescription statin medications.
When should you take red yeast rice?
Even patients who eat a 100% plant-based diet with very limited amounts of cholesterol can lower LDL cholesterol levels by taking these supplements. Plant stanols are most effective when they are taken with food. It is recommended to take them 3 times a day with meals.
How much red rice yeast should I take?
Dosing. Red yeast rice is available commercially, primarily as a 600 mg capsule. Most manufacturers suggest an oral dosage of 2 capsules twice a day for a total dose of 2,400 mg/day.
What are the health benefits of red yeast?
People use red yeast as medicine. Red yeast is taken by mouth to maintain desirable cholesterol levels in healthy people, reduce cholesterol in people with high cholesterol, for indigestion, diarrhea, to improve blood circulation, and for spleen and stomach health.
Is red yeast rice bad for your liver?
Red yeast rice might contain monacolin K, which can cause liver damage in some people. Taking red yeast rice with these types of drugs, herbs and supplements could increase the risk of liver damage.
Should red yeast rice be taken at night?
Red yeast rice also may deplete CoQ10 from the body. It is important to supplement your diet with CoQ10, 150 – 200 mg at night, while you are taking red yeast rice products, and for 4 weeks after you stop taking red yeast rice.
What are the side effects of using red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice can cause mild side effects, including:
- Abdominal discomfort.
- Heartburn.
- Gas.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
Does red yeast rice make you lose weight?
Helps You Lose Weight and Controls Obesity Studies show that red yeast rice helps to control your weight. Red yeast rice is one of the best natural ways to control your cholesterol levels.
Does red yeast rice make you pee?
A recent study of a dozen red yeast rice supplements found that four were laced with high levels of citrinin, a fungus toxin that acts like a diuretic, so you will pee a lot.
What are the health benefits of red rice yeast?
There are many benefits to eating red yeast rice, including its ability to lower cholesterol, work as an agent, stimulate bone growth, and prevent inflammation, among others.
Why is red yeast rice so controversial?
Red yeast rice is controversial for a couple of reasons. The first is that it is very effective at lowering cholesterol. It is effective because it contains compounds similar to statin drugs and it lowers cholesterol via the same metabolic pathway. This makes it very close to a drug in the mind of the FDA.
What are the side effects of red rice yeast?
Side effects of red yeast rice are rare but can include: Headache. Stomachache or bloating. Gas. Dizziness. Heartburn. Muscle aches and weakness. This can lead to a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Stop taking red yeast rice immediately and call your doctor.
What are the benefits of red yeast?
Red Yeast Rice Benefits. There are many benefits to eating red yeast rice, including its ability to lower cholesterol, work as an agent, stimulate bone growth, and prevent inflammation, among others.