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Red yeast

What is red yeast?

Red yeast is the product of rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast. Red yeast supplements are different from the red yeast rice you can find in Chinese stores. Red yeast is used as a medicine. Red ye ast is used to maintain desirable cholesterol levels in healthy people and to lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol levels. Other uses include stomach upset, diarrhea, improving circulation and maintaining spleen and stomach health. Red yeast is used as a coloring agent in foods such as Peking duck. The active ingredient in red yeast is the same active ingredient found in prescription drugs known as statins to lower elevated cholesterol levels. For this reason, red yeast has the same potential side effects and drug interactions as statins. The American Heart Association cautions against the use of red yeast until results of long-term studies are available.

How effective is red yeast?

Red yeast may be effective for

  • Lowering high cholesterol: Some research has shown that taking a specific red yeast product for two to three months could significantly lower total cholesterol, unhealthy LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, this product contained large amounts of a chemical that is similar to statin drugs such as lovastatin. Some red yeast supplements on the market contain only small amounts of this chemical and it is not known whether these products have a significant effect on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Other products have been analyzed to contain significant amounts of statins at doses of up to 5 mg per tablet.
  • Reduction of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels caused by the HIV virus (AIDS).

There is not enough scientific data to evaluate the effectiveness of red yeast for stomach upsets, diarrhea and spleen problems, as well as for improving circulation. This requires further scientific research.

How does red yeast work?

Red yeast supplements are made by culturing Monascus purpureus yeast on rice at a carefully controlled temperature and under carefully controlled conditions to increase the concentration of chemicals that lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. These chemicals are similar to the active ingredients in prescription statin drugs such as lovastatin.

Are there any safety concerns?

Red yeast is potentially safe and safe for most people when taken orally for up to three months. There is not enough scientific data to know if longer-term use is safe. Red yeast can cause side effects such as stomach upset, heartburn, bloating, headaches and dizziness. Red yeast contains chemicals that are similar to the ingredients in prescription statins. For this reason, red yeast could cause side effects similar to those drugs, which include liver damage, severe muscle pain and muscle damage. There are also concerns about product quality. Many red yeast products contain varying amounts of the statin-like ingredients. Some products contain none of these ingredients, while others contain high amounts and therefore have a higher risk of serious side effects. Inhalation of red yeast can cause serious allergic reactions. If red yeast has not been properly fermented, it may contain the toxin citrinin, which can cause kidney damage.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Red yeast is probably not safe during pregnancy. It has caused deformities in animals. Not enough is known about the safety of using red yeast while breastfeeding. For these reasons, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use red yeast products. Liver disorders: Red yeast contains chemicals similar to the ingredient in the statin drug lovastatin. For this reason, people suffering from liver disease should avoid red yeast products as well as statin drugs.

Interactions with medication

Red yeast should not be used in conjunction with the following medications:

Medications that can damage the liver Red yeast contains the active ingredient found in the statin drug lovastatin. Lovastatin can damage the liver in some people. The use of red yeast in combination with medications that can also damage the liver can increase the risk of liver damage. For this reason, you should avoid red yeast if you are taking medications that can damage the liver. Care should be taken when combining red yeast with the following medications:

Cyclosporine

Red yeast can have a negative effect on the muscles. Cyclosporine can also have a negative effect on the muscles. Taking red yeast in combination with cyclosporine can cause serious side effects.

Drugs that reduce the breakdown of other drugs by the liver (cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors)

Some drugs are broken down by the liver. Other drugs can affect the rate at which the liver breaks down other drugs, including red yeast. Taking red yeast in conjunction with medications that may reduce the rate at which other medications are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of red yeast. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking red yeast if you are taking medication that slows down the breakdown of other active substances by the liver.

Medication to lower cholesterol levels

Red yeast can help to lower cholesterol levels. Taking red yeast in combination with other medications used to lower cholesterol levels may increase the risk of side effects. For this reason, red yeast should not be used if you are already taking medication to lower cholesterol levels.

Niacin

Niacin can have a negative effect on the muscles. Red yeast can also have a negative effect on the muscles. Taking niacin in combination with red yeast could increase the risk of muscle problems.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements?

Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10)

Red yeast can lower coenzyme Q-10 levels.

Medicinal herbs and supplements that can damage the liver

Red yeast contains the active ingredient in the statin drug lovastatin. Lovastatin can damage the liver in some people. Using red yeast in combination with other medicinal herbs or supplements that can damage the liver could increase the risk of liver damage. Some products that may damage the liver include androstenedione, cresobush, comfrey, DHEA, Fo-Ti, kava, niacin, fleabane oil and others.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort can lower serum levels of the statin drug lovastatin. Red yeast contains the active ingredient in the statin drug lovastatin. St. John's wort could therefore also reduce the effect of red yeast.

Are there any interactions with food?

Alcohol

Red yeast contains the active ingredient in the statin drug lovastatin. Lovastatin can damage the liver in some people. Theoretically, the consumption of alcohol in combination with red yeast can increase the risk of liver damage.

Foodstuffs

Taking red yeast with food accelerates the absorption of red yeast.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit can slow down the rate at which the body breaks down red yeast. This could increase the amount of red yeast in the body and therefore increase effects and side effects.

Dosage

The following dosages have been scientifically investigated:

Oral intake:

  • High cholesterol: 1200 mg to 2400 mg of red yeast once or twice daily. You should only use products that contain chemicals equivalent to the ingredients in prescription statin drugs. Many of these products provide between 5 and 10 mg of these chemicals.
  • High cholesterol due to HIV infection: 1200 mg of red yeast twice daily.

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