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Yeah, but isn't thee a signifcant difference between a natural supplement and a pharmaceutical? I don't know, I'm just asking. Wouldn't it be like the difference between valerian and valium?
My doctor gave me a sheet which told me how to reduce my cholesterol naturally. One of the supplements was Red Yeast Rice. I also take Niacin. She indicated that after a high cholesterol reading, that she would give me a year to work on reducing it naturally before resorting to statins. Interestingly enough, the sheet also contained things like eating nuts to increase your HDL. I really like when a doctor takes that approach rather than immediately resorting to writing a prescription!
In the case of the red yeast rice, it is just like taking the prescription product.
The active ingredient in red yeast rice is a statin, the same as in Mevacor.
In the case of the red yeast rice, it is just like taking the prescription product.
The active ingredient in red yeast rice is a statin, the same as in Mevacor.
Red Yeast Rice has only a SMALL portion of lovastatin in it and it does not cause the problems like muscles cramps and pain that the prescription does. I have been on all of the statin drugs and reacted very badly with each one. Plus I gained about 10 pounds. Now that I take RYR I can keep the weight off, my muscles are not achy all the time and I feel alot better.
Red Yeast Rice has only a SMALL portion of lovastatin in it and it does not cause the problems like muscles cramps and pain that the prescription does. I have been on all of the statin drugs and reacted very badly with each one. Plus I gained about 10 pounds. Now that I take RYR I can keep the weight off, my muscles are not achy all the time and I feel alot better.
"As commercial products will have highly variable amounts of monacolins,[19] and rarely declare this content on the label, defining risk is difficult. Ingredient suppliers have also been suspected of "spiking" red yeast rice preparations with purified lovastatin. One analysis reported several commercial products as being almost entirely monacolin K rather than the expected composition of many monacolin compounds.[20] ... There are many case reports in the literature of muscle myopathy and liver damage resulting from red yeast rice usage.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]."
If you got a significant decrease in cholesterol with the red yeast rice, it is because of the monacolins in it, one of which is lovastatin.
It appears you have found a statin that does not cause you to have muscle pain. Having the same blood tests that are recommended for people taking prescription statins would be a good idea.
Does the product you are using list on the label its monacolin content?
Why? If your doctor recommends that you take a statin (or whatever) and he monitors your use to ensure that it is doing no harm, why the dismissal?
What is the basis of your opinion? Are you more qualified than the thousands of PhDs and cardiologist MDs (and their hundreds of thousands of man-years of research) to make those decisions?
I realize this thread is old. My doctor was insistent on me taking statins. 2 months later my hair falls out in clumps, and yes it is a side effect of statins and also it is a side effect not mentioned at all on those commercials. So, your liver needs constant attention, muscle pain is common with these drugs, your hair falls out, drug companies making billions on this drug. My level was 220, I'll take my chances and take fish oil pills and red yeast rice. By the way since I've stopped taking the statin the bald patches on my head, half my mustache, and the hair on my legs have grown back. However, I think there are people with severe conditions who should take these meds.
I realize this thread is old. My doctor was insistent on me taking statins. 2 months later my hair falls out in clumps, and yes it is a side effect of statins and also it is a side effect not mentioned at all on those commercials. So, your liver needs constant attention, muscle pain is common with these drugs, your hair falls out, drug companies making billions on this drug. My level was 220, I'll take my chances and take fish oil pills and red yeast rice. By the way since I've stopped taking the statin the bald patches on my head, half my mustache, and the hair on my legs have grown back. However, I think there are people with severe conditions who should take these meds.
Red yeast rice contains the same statin that is in the prescription drug Mevacor: lovastatin.
Red yeast rice contains the same statin that is in the prescription drug Mevacor: lovastatin.
I've taken two statins, both made my hair fall out, RYR has not. Why? I have no idea. I've not taken Mevacor. When I broached this issue with my doctor he rolled his eyes and said he had another patient with the same issue.
I'm aware of one pharma who has argued in court to ban the sale of RYR because they claim they have a patient on the key natural ingredient in RYR that is artificially manufactured in their statin. So far the FDA has not been able to block the sale of RYR. I believe statins are important but I'm absolutely convinced side effects are much more prevalent than one is led to believe, ranging from severe muscle pain, hair loss, and mental issues and of course the liver. I wish it wasn't so.
Why? If your doctor recommends that you take a statin (or whatever) and he monitors your use to ensure that it is doing no harm, why the dismissal?
What is the basis of your opinion? Are you more qualified than the thousands of PhDs and cardiologist MDs (and their hundreds of thousands of man-years of research) to make those decisions?
For a lot of people it REALLY lowers their quality of life............joint pain, fatigue, memory loss, depression.......to name a few. You know, little thingees like BAD SIDE EFFECTS.......that is why many people quit taking Statins.
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