Red Yeast Rice

Red Yeast Rice has been used traditionally in Asia for centuries. Also referred to as red rice koji, it is made by culturing rice with the yeast Monascus purpureus, resulting in a bright reddish-purple fermented rice. This is a food preparation technique that dates back over 2,300 years.

This fermented, yeasted rice contains substances called monacolins. One of them, monacolin K, is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. This in theory makes red yeast rice a natural source of this cholesterol-reducing substance, that decreases the production of cholesterol by the liver.

Plant sterols, a type of phytosteroid (steroid-like molecules made by plants), also are known for their LDL cholesterol lowering effects. They are molecularly quite similar to cholesterol, and work by competing for cholesterol absorption in the gut.

As Organika’s formula contains 500mg of red yeast rice and 150mg of free plant sterol, it is a completely natural way of lowering total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, both of which are risk factors towards heart disease and stroke. 

MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS — EACH VEGETARIAN CAPSULE CONTAINS:

• Red Yeast Rice (Seed (Oryza sativa)) 500 mg
• Free Plant Sterols (Seed (Glycine max)) 150 mg (Containing 80% Combined beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol)

NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS:

• Magnesium Stearate (Non-GMO Vegetable Source)
• Silica
• Brown Rice Flour
• Hypromellose / Pullulan (Vegetarian Capsule)

RECOMMENDED DOSE — (ORAL) ADULTS ONLY:

Take 2 capsules three times per day.

DURATION OF USE:

Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 8 weeks.

CAUTIONS:

Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking Hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase (“statins”) lipid lowering medications or cyclosporine; or if you suffer from liver or kidney disease or have received an organ transplant. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discontinue use of the product and consult a health care practitioner if you experience muscle pain, tenderness and/or weakness.

Q: Are there any safety concerns I should know if taking this product?
A: As monacolin K works the same way as statin drugs, please be mindful of potential side effects, the same you may find with the prescription drug. Don’t take red yeast rice if you are taking a statin prescription drug. For both of these options, coenzyme Q10 levels decrease faster than normal in the body. Consider taking a coenzyme Q10 supplement when taking red yeast rice to replenish coenzyme Q10 levels.

Q: Does your product contain any of the dangerous contaminants that may be found in other brands?
A: No. Our product contains no citrinin, a fungal toxin sometimes present in stored grains like rice, that can be detrimental to the liver and kidney systems, as well as cause genetic damage to human cells. It is also naturally red and contains no added colours.

Q: How else is red yeast rice used?
A: It’s also used as a food product, especially in East Asian cuisines.

Q: Where can I get more plant sterols in my diet?
A: Phytosterols, as a fat-based molecule, are found in the fats of plants. This is often in seeds, grains, or legumes, like coconut, corn, olives, peanut, canola, soy and sunflower seeds and their extracted oils. Plant sterols do not interfere with statin drugs, and instead can complement their efficacy.

Q: Are there other ways I can lower my LDL or total cholesterol levels?
A: Yes, there are many lifestyle choices that can be adjusted to help with not-ideal cholesterol levels. Cholesterol plays a very important role in many of your hormones and all your cell membranes, so you definitely don’t want to think of it all as bad. LDL levels increase when you need more cholesterol to fix damage - like with free radical damage in the arteries or to protect cells from excess dehydration. Decreasing choices like smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating sugar, refined carbohydrates and process foods decrease free radical damage. Increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and spices help to combat these free radicals. Ensuring ample clean water daily, and not overdoing dehydrating-beverages like coffee, tea and alcohol can also help with cell hydration and a decreased need for LDL cholesterol.

Another piece to take into consideration is your bowel health. Excess cholesterol is released with bile from your gallbladder when you eat foods containing fats. If you are constipated or your liver/gallbladder system is not functioning properly, cholesterol may be building up in your system instead of being properly eliminated. Another reason to adjust your diet away from processed foods and towards a more whole foods, plant-heavy plan.