2. By Elise LEfteriou

3.  Red Yeast rice is a product of the Monascus purpureus, grown on rice.  It is a dietary staple in some Asian countries.  This certain yeast contains “monacolin k” which is a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase

4.  Also known as mevinolin or lovastatin.  “Statin “ drugs work to inhibit cholesterol synthesis by blocking action of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.  The commercial drug name is Mevacore  Red rice yeast is sometimes extracted and sold as a natural over-the-counter supplement.

6. Plaque in the arteries What causes the disease? High circulating LDL cholesterol in the blood that causes plaque build up Who is at Risk? Males and Females from the age of 55 upwards LDL becomes oxidized and comes in contact with the artery wall. it sticks Our body then sends out an immune response to fight this problem. What it results is swollen macrophages who develop into foam cells all along the artery wall.

7.  1,200 milligrams of concentrated red yeast powder capsules have been taken two times per day by mouth with food. Adults (18 years and older)  Or  In Asian countries consumption ranges from 14 to 55 grams a day

8.  Adults (18 years and older)  1,200 milligrams of concentrated red yeast powder capsules have been taken two times per day by mouth with food.  The average consumption of naturally occurring red yeast rice in Asia has been reported as 14-55 grams per day.  Children (younger than 18 years)  There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend red yeast for children.

9. *Key to grades A: Strong scientific evidence for this use; B: Good scientific evidence for this use; C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use; D: Fair scientific evidence against this use; F: Strong scientific evidence against this use. Uses based on scientific evidenceGrade Grade * High cholesterol A Coronary heart disease C Diabetes C

10.  http://www.drugdigest.org http://www.drugdigest.org  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginf o/natural/patient-redyeast.html

11.  Pregnancy  Surgery  Other medications  Risks for bleeding

12.  Red Rice yeast should not be taken if you are on these drugs  Altocor  Altoprev  Crestor  Lescol  Lipitor  lovastatin  pravastatin  simvastatin Allergy drugs such as fexofenadine Antifungal drugs such as itraconazole and ketoconazole Cancer drugs such as etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, or vincristine Oral contraceptives

13.  Side effects may be similar to those for the prescription drugs  Heartburn, gas, bloating, muscle pain or damage, dizziness, asthma, and kidney problems are possible & Jaundice  People with liver disease should not use red yeast products  **theory, red yeast may increase the risk of bleeding**

14.  It is also traditionally used in the production of several types of Chinese wine, Japanese sake ( akaisake ), and Korean rice wine ( hongju ), imparting a reddish color to these wines

15. Recipies Ingredients 1 cup lentilslentils 2 beef bouillon cubesbeef bouillon cubes 4 cups waterwater 2 stalks celerycelery 1 small chopped oniononion 1-2 tablespoon of minced garlicgarlic 2 carrots, slicedcarrots 4-5 sprigs fresh parsleyfresh parsley 1 cup red yeast rice 2 cups waterwater salt and pepper  Directions  1  Rinse and then soak the lentils in enough water to cover for at least 20 minutes. Drain off any rinse.  2  Put lentils into a saucepan with water for cooking.  3  Add the other ingredients, except for the parsley, to the sauce pan.  4  Cook until the lentils are tender which takes about 30 minutes.  5  Cool and put into a blender to combine.  6  Add fresh parsley and blend.  7  Add water to taste.  8  Rinse rice and cook in a saucepan with 2 cups water for about 25 minutes.  9  Serve over red yeast rice. 0 total cholesterol !

16.  Always check with your doctor first  This supplement is powerful!  Correlations give strong evidence for this over the counter Cholesterol lowering fungus!

17.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-yeast-rice/NS_patient- redyeast/DSECTION=evidence http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-yeast-rice/NS_patient- redyeast/DSECTION=evidence  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient- redyeast.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient- redyeast.html  http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.taylor- madeak.org/media/blogs/tmblog/RedYeastRice.JPG&imgrefurl=http:/ /www.taylor-madeak.org