Red Yeast Rice?

[lilCharlie]

Does anybody have any personal experience with Red Yeast Rice and its effects on LDL cholesterol?  Did it work, and to what extent?  

I have read about its effects on lowering cholesterol dramatically and know a professor who had similar results with her own high cholesterol.  I spoke with my doctor about it and he never heard of it.  He suggested Fish oils to improve HDL levels and thats about it.  

I guess what I want to know, does anybody have some good experience with Red yeast rice, and how well did it improve your cholesterol?  Any success and/or horror stories appreciated! :)

[va_tony]

I just searched the internet and found a Consumer Report site recommending generic lovastatin (with prescription, of course)as a best buy.  This costs about $34/month.

http://www.consumerreports.org/mg/cost-effective-drug-choices/cedc_statins.htm

Or you can try to get lovastatin via red yeast rice pills shipped in from China. The domestic red yeast pills currently cost about $20/month. See

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3148162

The key here is not the price difference but whether you should be monitored by your doctor when you take lovastatin.  When you take prescribed lovastatin, you are forced to go to the doctor periodically (otherwise s/he won't renew your prescription) to insure you are not experiencing silent side effects (e.g. liver problems). If you take the illegal red yeast pills, you are on your own and it's the roll of the dice.  For most, it will work as advertised with no problems.  For a few, their health will be engangered. Your choice. Your government has done its best to protect you.... but if you are stuborn. Oh well.

[fearfactor]

Sorry to be so witchy, I am just stressed out in a big way right now.  I have a kid with asthma and feel a little insecure knowing we'd have to run up a big ER bill if she were to have an attack (can't take her to the doc).  I apologize to all.

[CollegeGirl143]

I think many people who have been involved in pharmaceuticals other than trying to educate themselves over the internet will agree its a nessecary evil.. Yes... i said evil...The pharmaceutical business is just that, a business.. They are first and foremost,a money making venture.. The general public may not understand what the costs are for researching, and testing drugs, but no one will test a drug that they dont have a fairly strong chance of getting a return on.. Thats not good business, and thus why people are not exactly in love with the industry.. Its the same general principle with insurance companies... Yes, they do good, no one is disputing that, But doing good is no longer, (or was ever imo) put above making a buck at the end of the day..

Another large complain of mine is the fact that natural supplements are not regulated.. But that arguement is for another day.

[lilCharlie]

Dont be sorry at all.  You and I and anybody who wants to take "Natural" Suppliments should be able to.  As long as its not a narcotic or something that would impare my judgement in someway, whats the real problem?  The difference would be hundreds of dollars on statins versus 10 bucks for a month supply of Red Yeast Rice.  China, several countries in Europe, New Zealand...all these places allow people to take the statin form of Red Yeast Rice.  whats the difference??? The differnce is the US is about big business, PERIOD.  

For the government to deny us the use of Red Yeast Rice is like wiping before you poop, it just dont make sense!

[CollegeGirl143]

no need to apologize!! I completely understand.. I work part time as a patient liasion in my EP doctors office, and i see alot of horrible things, and alot of people who need help but cant afford it and their insurance wont help.. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth too and i dont blame you one bit.

[va_tony]

"Lovastatin was a naturally occuring chemical in that supplement. Interestingly enough, it can't be exactly the same as the FDA regulated statin medications as my uncle suffered a severe reaction to statin medications after his bypass, and thus his cholesterol stayed high."

You are generalizing and IMO reaching an incorrect conclusion. While lovastatin is not "eactly the same" as the particular statin your uncle was prescribed, why do you believe that he would have a similar reaction to another statin?  Did he try them all? The fact that he tolerated red yeast rice (lovastatin) refutes your statin premise. BTW, lovastatin is exactly the same chemical found in Merck's Mevacor.  Mevacor IS lovastatin.  Has your uncle tried Mevacor?

"I see no difference in keeping RYR pills on the market and having laxatives, aspirin, cold remedies, acid reflux treatments and so on available otc."

Statins are in a different league than the OTC's you mention. You won't have serious side-effects if you take laxatives, aspirin, etc. as directed.... but you could experience a serious reaction taking any statin (including red yeast rice)even as directed. You can have changes in liver function or experience damage to muscle tissue (myopathy). Rhabdomyolysis, can occur that can sometimes be fatal. Consequently, you must be under a doctor's supervision while taking any statin.  That's why they are prescribed. The FDA rightfully takes this position with red yeast rice containing lovastatin.

"Drug companies have to screw with things, that's where my problem is."

If it weren't for the drug companies, we wouldn't have any of the miracle drugs now saving millions of lives a year.  Yes, it is big business. If you took away the profits (and profits are not excessive.. that's why the stock price of companies like Merck and Pfizer have been doing poorly lately), no research would be done on new drugs.  No company could afford to run the clinical trials and jump through all the FDA hoops. The science of medicine would come to a standstill.

"While regulation of anything that can actually consistently treat a disease is probably sometimes a good idea"

The problem is, nobody knows which drugs will be effective or safe prior to clinical tests.  That's why the FDA requires that all "drugs' be tested.  It's for our protection.  If there were no FDA, the market would be flooded with ineffective and dangerous drugs/supplements.

Best wishes

Tony