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Recently, the use of red yeast rice for cholesterol control has become widespread. Nowadays, it’s common for experts to recommend it to people with moderately high levels. So, you might be wondering, how much of an anti-cholesterol product is it really? In this post, we’ll try to answer that question.
What is cholesterol?
Before diving in, it’s worth explaining what cholesterol is and the types that exist. Having hypercholesterolemia in the blood is a very common condition among people living in developed countries.
That’s why there are many preventive health campaigns that have made the term “cholesterol” stick in our minds. In fact, it’s often seen as a kind of threat to our heart related to fat, something we try to “keep from getting too high.”
We’re talking about a fat molecule that circulates in the blood bound to lipoproteins. Let’s take a quick look at this:
Once we consume animal fat from certain foods, our body has to both absorb it and transport it to various tissues. This transport isn’t easy, since most of our blood is water and fat doesn’t dissolve well in it.
What types of cholesterol are there?
Following what we explained above, the amount and type of proteins and fats that make up a lipoprotein determine its density. Fat is less dense. So, if it has more fat and less protein, the lipoprotein is considered low density, and vice versa.
According to their function, the most relevant lipoproteins for the body are classified as:
- Those called “high density” or HDL (from the English High Density Lipoproteins). These are commonly known as “good cholesterol.”
- Those called “low density” or LDL (from the English Low Density Lipoproteins). These are commonly known as “bad cholesterol.”
How does each type of cholesterol affect health?
HDL cholesterol is considered “good” because it contains more proteins than fats. This lipoprotein, being more similar to the “old” cholesterol circulating in the blood, sticks to it, picking it up and “sweeping” it more easily to transport it to the liver, where it’s stored or expelled through bile. This way, the dreaded cholesterol buildup in the blood that can clog veins and arteries doesn’t happen.
LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” because it contains more fats than proteins. Its role is to transport the “new” cholesterol from the liver to the body’s cells. By itself, it’s not harmful, but since it can “stick” to elastin in artery walls and leave fat deposits, it can cause the feared atheroma plaque, which leads to atherosclerosis.
What are the benefits of Red Yeast Rice on cholesterol?
Cholesterol levels can rise due to dietary factors, especially when animal fat consumption in the diet is too high (butter, cold cuts, pork, lots of oil or sweets).
Also, consumption of certain products like alcohol and other factors such as obesity and sedentary habits play a role. For this reason, many people with high LDL levels start controlling their eating habits and lifestyle, turning to products, supplements, or medications (usually capsules) to prevent cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestine and entering the bloodstream.
However, many of these people don’t get the expected results despite their efforts, since sometimes high cholesterol levels are related to a dysfunction in the body’s normal operation, having less to do with certain foods.
Monacolins
This is where red yeast comes in, containing a substance called monacolin K, which has proven effective at blocking liver cholesterol production by inhibiting the action of HMG-CoA reductase in the liver.
Regarding LDL cholesterol, it’s worth noting that not all its connotations are negative since it’s necessary to produce vitamin D and certain hormones, build cell walls, and generate bile salts that aid fat digestion.
Cholesterol production mainly happens in liver cells, where the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme regulates how much is produced based on the body’s needs.
Whenever this enzyme doesn’t work properly, cholesterol production gets out of control and continues even when blood levels are appropriate, creating an excess called hypercholesterolemia. In such cases, the only effective remedy is to regulate the enzyme’s activity.
Do you know how it works in the body?
Since red yeast is a natural substance that works in total synergy with the body and its processes, it’s one of the best remedies to reduce cholesterol because it doesn’t cause the side effects typical of drugs and other conventional health treatments.
Add to that that the red yeast rice attacks the real cause of the problem, and you’ll see why it’s worth adding to your diet. That said, you need to take it continuously since it can’t regulate the body without its presence. Its effect is similar to what fish oil has always been credited with, but more effective.
A potential issue with red yeast rice intake is that, as a CoA reductase enzyme blocker, it tends to reduce coenzyme Q10 production.
Research
There have been quite a few studies aimed at revealing how red yeast rice works as a remedy to lower cholesterol. One notable study lasted eight weeks with a group of participants and aimed to evaluate the effect of red yeast rice and its association on the lipid profile.
The result? Scientists concluded that the combination of phytosterol and red yeast rice has an additive cholesterol-lowering effect, allowing LDL to be reduced to clinically significant levels in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia.
