topic Re: RED YEAST RICE in Wellness

RED YEAST RICE

jubilant — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:02:12 GMT

My heart doctor wants me to try this. They have tried everything else. The most recent was Repatha and I am not able to take it any longer. He suggested I try the Red Yeast Rice. Does anyone here know anyrthing about it?

Re: RED YEAST RICE

Icegoddess — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:12:26 GMT

It is VERY similar to a Statin, but unregulated and has all the same possible side effects as a statin including muscle loss. If you can't take a Statin, I don't know that I'd want to be taking Red Yeast Rice.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

suzeem — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:14:57 GMT

I gave used Red Yeast rice for about 10 years to keep my cholesterol in normal range. It has worked for me. I use Rescue 1250 Red Yeast Rice - LDL-XQ10. I take 3 per day with my meals.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

cindyNC — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:28:23 GMT

Had never heard of this before- thanks for all the info.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

89135 — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:51:50 GMT

I have taken this for several years per my doctor to lower my cholesterol...It has worked wonders for me..I get mine at Costco...Weider Red Yeast Rice...the pills are kinda big but I don't have a problem with them.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

Shelbelle — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:12:02 GMT

It is a modified form of a statin, which I have refused to take. I am on Zetia, a non statin RX, not as potent as a statin but it works for me.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

on the bay — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:28:28 GMT

@jubilant,

I did try red yeast rice years ago and when I mentioned it to my doctor, she agreed it would be good to try.

I stopped because just like @Icegoddess, said, it is similar to statin drugs.

It actually has the same compound, monacolin k, which is chemically identical to the statin drug lovastatin.

Side effects can be minor or more serious involving muscles, liver, or kidney.

Because red yeast rice is not regulated, the amounts of monacolin k might be inconsistent,

or contaminated with citrinin, a toxic substance.

I started taking ginger capsules or garlic capsules. Niacin had too many concerns re side effects, minor and serious.

It's hard to find things that help without harm isn't it? Be sure to read always before taking any rx or supplements, vitamins, herbs, homeopathic etc. I always do now because not all drs are knowledgable about supplements and updates on vitamins. Best of luck to you @jubilant

Re: RED YEAST RICE

jubilant — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:21:52 GMT

Thank you ladies. I do appreciate all your posts on this.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

Citrine1 — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:32:45 GMT

My doctor had me take it many years ago to see if it would lower my cholesterol. It didn't. I had to go on prescription medication. Hoping it works for you though!

Re: RED YEAST RICE

Effie54 — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:42:56 GMT

I tried Red Yeast Rice and had bad side effects. It is like a statin. It's different for everyone. Some can take medications, while others can't. I'm in the latter category.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

SilleeMee — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 01:01:07 GMT

I know some people can't take berberine but that has done wonders for my LDL chol as well as keep my glucose in check. I take 500 mg three or four times a day just before eating or shortly afterwards...never on an prolonged empty stomach. That's when it can 'come back up'.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

sens — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 03:30:07 GMT

Red yeast rice can cause muscle pain and liver damage- be carefull please . You might want to try plant sterols - they also lower LDL cholesterol. On HSN - Andrew Lessman has a product called Cholestacare that you might want to research. I do not take that particular supplement from him but I take others and his products are top quality. Fiber also helps but increase your intake slowly as it can cause abdominal cramping . Good health to you

Re: RED YEAST RICE

wagirl — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 13:29:17 GMT

@jubilant --yes I have before---and it did nothing for me--my former heart dr suggested it instead of statins. Can't take any of those. Am on repatha now that is doing well---been on that med for 2 years now. Have family high cholesterol so it's been a life long struggle for me. Prob took red yeast rice for a few years along with a few other suppplements too.--Berberine was one of them .It never affected me the way statins did, no muscle ache or pain. Liver enzymes were normal. Just did nothing. I stopped those things and actually found a different heart doc and am working with a pharmacologist for my issues.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

jubilant — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:12:34 GMT

@wagirl I'm happy Repatha works for you.

I had high hopes for it but it was not to be, I guess. High cholesterol runs in my family and none of them could take statins. Still, mom lived to be 92 and Dad was almost 90.

I'm to the point where I really am tired of side effects and leery about trying anything else. My chances of living to mom & dad's age aren't looking too good....but when it's my time ...it's my time....it's really not my call and I'm ready to go when He calls me. That mindset is helping me more then I can say.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

Shelbelle — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:54:46 GMT

@jubilant wrote:

@wagirl I'm happy Repatha works for you.
I had high hopes for it but it was not to be, I guess. High cholesterol runs in my family and none of them could take statins. Still, mom lived to be 92 and Dad was almost 90.
I'm to the point where I really am tired of side effects and leery about trying anything else. My chances of living to mom & dad's age aren't looking too good....but when it's my time ...it's my time....it's really not my call and I'm ready to go when He calls me. That mindset is helping me more then I can say.

Zetia is virtually side effect free, even my doc said so based on the number of patients she has on it.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

wagirl — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 17:22:27 GMT

@jubilant --my dad had the high cholesterol --he died at 47 in 1976. So have known from then, it's a thing. My 2 brothers are also affected--one does very well on statins and has for years. Not sure about the other brother. Will go in early Oct for my lipid labs and to check on if Repathas still doing it's job.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

jubilant — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:12:32 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
@jubilant wrote:

@wagirl I'm happy Repatha works for you.
I had high hopes for it but it was not to be, I guess. High cholesterol runs in my family and none of them could take statins. Still, mom lived to be 92 and Dad was almost 90.
I'm to the point where I really am tired of side effects and leery about trying anything else. My chances of living to mom & dad's age aren't looking too good....but when it's my time ...it's my time....it's really not my call and I'm ready to go when He calls me. That mindset is helping me more then I can say.
Zetia is virtually side effect free, even my doc said so based on the number of patients she has on it.

Thank you for replying. They tried Zetia after my stroke 2 yrs. ago and it didn't work for me. My doctor days there is nothing else left to try but the Red Yeast Rice.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

jubilant — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:23:24 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@jubilant --my dad had the high cholesterol --he died at 47 in 1976. So have known from then, it's a thing. My 2 brothers are also affected--one does very well on statins and has for years. Not sure about the other brother. Will go in early Oct for my lipid labs and to check on if Repathas still doing it's job.

@wagirl

I really hope it works for you. I have a cousin who has been on it for years and he is doing very well on it.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

Shelbelle — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:19:06 GMT

I used OTC plant sterols for 20 years until 2 years ago stopped working for me, Zetia works but not as potent as a statin.

Re: RED YEAST RICE

SilleeMee — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 23:40:51 GMT

Statins made my A1C go up so much that my doctor was going to put me on metformin. Told her I was going to stop taking the statins and find a better way and I did.