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Fish oil, red yeast rice better than statins 7-8-08
Results of a small trial show that taking fish oil and red yeast rice can
effectively lower bad cholesterol in the blood and triglycerides, proving that
the alternative therapy may be a safe replacement for statins.
Statins, which cause adverse effects in many patients, are the standard
treatment used in the Western medicine to lower cholesterol in hopes to reduce
the risk of heart disease.
Although this class of drugs is effective in lowering cholesterol, the
protection against heart disease is largely only for those who have existing
heart conditions. The benefit for those who do not have a current heart
condition is nearly non-existent.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and other organizations wanted to
know if fish oil/red yeast rice could be used to treat high blood cholesterol.
If effective, they may be used by those who have high cholesterol, but do not
have existing cardiovascular disease.
In the trial of 74 patients with high blood cholesterol who met standard
criteria for statin therapy, the researchers assigned randomly either a
supplement of fish oil/ red yeast rice or Zocor (simvastatin) at a dose of 40
milligrams (mg) each day for three months.
The participants in the fish oil/red yeast rice group were enrolled in a 12-week
multidisciplinary lifestyle program that involved 3.5 hours education each week
from professionals including a cardiologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist
and several alternative practitioners.
Fish oil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and protect against heart
disease. Red yeast rice, commonly used in some Asian countries to brew rice
wine, has also been known to have several compounds known to inhibit cholesterol
production.
Those who were treated with fish oil and red yeast experienced a significant
drop in LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol or the bad cholesterol, 42.4
percent compared to 39.6 percent in the statins group, the researchers found.
Participants receiving the alternative therapy also experienced other benefits
and they had a substantial reduction in triglycerides, another form of fat in
the blood and lost weight.
The results were published in the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
"Our study was designed to test a comprehensive and holistic approach to lipid
lowering," notes the study's lead author, David Becker, M.D., a Chestnut Hill
Hospital and University of Pennsylvania Health System cardiologist.
"These results are intriguing and show a potential benefit of an alternative, or
naturopathic, approach to a common medical condition."
The trial is small and only for a short term. Dr. Becker acknowledges that a
larger, multicenter trial with longer follow-up is necessary to determine
long-term compliance with the alternative regimen.
Early studies show many patients were unable or unwilling to follow lifestyle
recommendations for a long term, according to Dr. Becker.
"The excellent adherence in the alternative group was undoubtedly related to the
intensive follow-up, education and support provided for this group," said Dr.
Becker.
Comment:
Red yeast rice's main constituents is lovostatin which is very similar to prescription statins. In fact many different drug companies tried to sue several years back and get red yeast rice considered a drug. It was pulled of the market for over a year.