Red Yeast Rice Plus (Organic) (for Cholesterol control)

Red Yeast Rice Plus (U.S. Grown & Fermented Certified Organic Rice)

Bio Essence has improved the product of Red yeast rice in capsules- The new name is "Red Yeast Rice Plus". We also have used Certified Organic U.S. Grown & Fermented Rice extract in this formula. We have also added 3 herbal extracts in minor amount to make the formula more effective, protective and unique from other brands in the market. The daily dosage is now 3 capsules, twice a day which contain total of 2,400 mg red yeast rice extract with 600mg of 3 herbal extract listed below. The old dosage is 4 capsules a day (2 capsules twice a day) with 2,000 mg Red yeast rice extract total per day. An additional daily use of 30 to 50 mg of Coenzyme Q10 is suggested a few times a week. Take red yeast rice only with supervision by your health care provider.

Warning: Do not take red yeast rice capsule along with cholesterol medications such as statins without consulting with your physician.
Some herbal and nutritional formulas are good to take together for Cardiovascular health such as: Meridian Circulation Pills (Item no. 5126), Hawthorn Cholest. Fighter (Item no. 5146), Powerful Heart (Item no. BE22)

The new added herbal extracts are:

1. Milk Thistle: This plant unblocks obstructions of the liver and spleen; help jaundice; prevents harmful toxins from entering into the cells of the liver. It facilitates the removal of toxins from the liver cells; regenerates injured liver cells; help blocks fibrosis in people with inflamed liver conditions secondary to diseases such as alcohol abuse or hepatitis. It is a powerful antioxidant and is most commonly recommended to counteract the harmful actions of alcohol and chemical toxins on the liver. It can minimize the possible side effect of long-term use of Red Yeast rice extract which may contain the similar structure or functional compounds like the Statin drugs.
   
   
2. Salvia root extract (Dan Shen or Red Sage) promotes Blood circulation, stops pain, tranquilizes the mind by nourishing the heart and promotes new tissue regeneration. Because of its positive effect on the circulation, Dan Shen is traditionally used to treat angina pectoris (¡§chest Bi strangulating pain¡¨ in TCM). In recent studies, the active components of Dan Shen have shown an ability to dilate coronary blood vessels and peripheral blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the heart.
   
   
3. Hawthorn Berry (Shan Zha or Crataegus) is a very effective herb for the heart and blood vessels. Its actions as a coronary restorative, cardiovascular relaxant and circulatory and systemic resolvent are unequaled, making Shan Zha a valuable adjunct in formulas for coronary deficiency with angina, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, neurocardiac disorders, coronary artery spasm, chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitations and anxiety. The beneficial effects of Shan Zha in the case of angina are due to improvement in the blood and oxygen supply of the heart.
4. Alpha Lipoic acid: Thiw is a nutritional supplement that can provide liver protection and strong anti-oxidant function.
   

Red Yeast Rice Overview:

Red yeast rice has been used in China for centuries as both a food and as a medicinal substance. It is made by fermenting a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus over red rice. In Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is used to promote blood circulation, soothe upset stomach, and invigorate the function of the spleen, a body organ that destroys old blood cells and filters foreign substances. Recently, it has been discovered that red yeast rice contains substances that are similar to prescription medications that lower cholesterol.

Laboratory studies have shown that the Monascus purpureus inhibits the action of a body enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, known to raise cholesterol which, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease. Because of this inhibitory action, red yeast rice's therapeutic uses include the prevention and treatment of high cholesterol.

Recently, the UCLA School of Medicine conducted a study involving 83 people with high cholesterol levels. Those who received red yeast rice over a 12-week period experienced a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides (fatty substances that can also accumulate in the blood stream and cause damage to blood vessels) compared to those who received placebo. HDL ("good") cholesterol did not change in either group during the study.

Two studies involving red yeast rice were presented at the American Heart Association's 39th Annual conference in 1999. The first study, involving 187 people with mild to moderate elevations in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol revealed that treatment with red yeast rice reduced total cholesterol by more than 16%, LDL cholesterol by 21%, and triglycerides by 24%. HDL cholesterol also increased by 14%. In the second study, elderly participants who were given red yeast rice experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to those who received placebo. Both studies treated the participants with the supplement or placebo for 8 weeks.

In another 8-week trial involving 446 people with high cholesterol levels, those who received red yeast rice experienced a significant drop in cholesterol levels compared to those who received placebo. Total cholesterol fell by 22.7%, LDL by 31%, and triglycerides by 34% in the red yeast rice group. HDL cholesterol increased by 20% in the red yeast rice group as well.

Precautions:

Because there is little information about the safety of red yeast rice when it is used over an extended period of time, it is best to limit its use to short term.

People who are at risk for liver disease, or currently have liver disease, should not take red yeast rice because, similar to prescription cholesterol lowering medications, red yeast rice may affect liver function.

Those who consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day, have a serious infection or physical disorder, or have undergone an organ transplant are also advised to avoid red yeast rice.

Avoid using on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding and on children under 18 years of age.

Side effects of red yeast rice are rare but can include: Headache; Stomach ache and/or bloating; Gas; Dizziness; Heartburn; unexplained muscle pain especially accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Decreasing dosage or stop using and consult your health professional authority if occurred.

Interactions:

1. Red yeast rice should not be taken with cholesterol-lowering (statin) medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cerivastatin), because it may enhance the effect of these medications, thereby increasing the risk of liver damage.
   
2. When grapefruit or grapefruit juice is taken with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, they enhance the effects of the medications and cause a significant increase in blood levels of these synthetic drugs, leading to a greater chance of side effects and liver damage.it would be wise to avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit or grapefruit products such as marmalade while taking red yeast rice.
                                                                                                                                                                                         The company does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder.

Supporting Research

Bonovich, K, Colfer H, Davidson M, Dujovne C, Greenspan M, Karlberg R, et al. A Multi-Center, Self-Controlled Study of Cholestin In Subjects With Elevated Cholesterol. American Heart Association. 39th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Orlando, Fl. March 1999. [Abstract]

Havel R. Dietary supplement or drug? The case of cholestin. Am J Clin Nut.r 1999;69(2):175-176.

Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, Elashoff DA, Go VLW. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:231-236.

INPR The Institute for Natural Products Research [resource on World Wide Web]. URL: http://www.natural products.org. Available from Internet. Accessed 2001 Feb 6.

Kuhn M, Winston D. Herbal Therapy and Supplements, A Scientific and Traditional Approach. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2001.

Li C, Li Y, Hou Z. Toxicity study for Monascus purpureus (red yeast) extract. Information of the Chinese Pharmacology Society. 1995;12 (4):12 [Translation]

Li C, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Zhu J, Chang J, Kritchevsky D. Monascus Purpureus-Fermented Rice (Red Yeast Rice): A natural food product that lowers blood cholesterol In animal models of hypercholesterolemia. Nutrition Research. 1998;18(1):71-81.

Ma J, Li Y, Ye Q, Li J, Hua Y, Ju D, et al. Constituents of red yeast rice, a traditional Chinese food and medicine. J Agric Food Chem. 2000;48:5220-5225.

Pharmanex. Cholestin Healthcare Professional Product Guide. Updated 6/2000.

Qin S, Zhang W, Qi P, Zhao M, Dong Z, Li Y , et al. Elderly patients with primary hyperlipidemia benefited from treatment with a Monacus purpureus rice preparation: A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. American Heart Association. 39th Annual conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Orlando, Fl. March 1999. [Abstract]

Wang J, Lu Z, Chi J, Wang W, Su M, Kou W, et al. Multicenter clinical trial of serum lipid-lowering effects of a Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation from traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Ther Res. 1997;58(12):964-978.