Is red yeast rice considered a blood thinner?

Is red yeast rice considered a blood thinner?

Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels and total blood cholesterol levels. While the supplement is generally considered safe, it might carry the same potential side effects as statin cholesterol drugs. Red yeast rice might cost less than a statin.

Does all red yeast rice contain Monacolin K?

Tests performed by the FDA indicate that the red yeast rice sold as a food product contains only traces of monacolin K or none at all. In both 2008 and 2009, the most recent years for which data are available, sales of red yeast rice dietary supplements were approximately $20 million per year.

Does red rice yeast have side effects?

When taken by mouth: Red yeast rice is possibly safe for most people when taken for up to 4.5 years. Red yeast rice contains a chemical that is the same as the prescription drug lovastatin. Because of this, it might cause the same side effects as this drug, including liver damage, severe muscle pain, and muscle damage.

Which is better to lower cholesterol niacin or red yeast rice?

Niacin is very effective at lowering LDL, beyond its ability to raise high-density lipoprotein and shift LDL particle size to a less atherogenic type. When statins cannot be tolerated at all, red yeast rice can be used if proper formulations of the product are obtained.

Can you take red yeast rice with warfarin?

Anticoagulants (blood-thinners): Red yeast rice may increase the risk of bleeding. Blood thinners include warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and daily aspirin. Grapefruit juice: If you take a statin, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the amount of the drug in your blood.

Do you need to take CoQ10 with red yeast rice?

Side effects of CoQ10 depletion include fatigue, muscle aches and pains, and muscle damage. Red yeast rice also may deplete CoQ10 from the body. It is important to supplement your diet with CoQ10, 150 – 200 mg at night, while you are taking red yeast rice products, and for 4 weeks after you stop taking red yeast rice.

Is Monacolin K the same as lovastatin?

The primary monacolin in red yeast rice is monacolin K, which has the same chemical structure as lovastatin. Although levels of lovastatin vary in the product, 2.4 g of red yeast rice daily may contain about 4.8 mg of lovastatin, or 0.2% of the total dose.

Is monascus Purpureus the same as monacolin K?

Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) is rice fermented with red yeast. Lovastatin is an active ingredient in cholesterol-lowering medicinal products, but when found in red yeast rice it is more often referred to by its synonymous name monacolin K.

Can red yeast rice raise blood pressure?

May promote heart health One review of 21 studies found that red yeast rice was effective at reducing levels of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as triglycerides and blood pressure, when combined with statin drugs ( 6 ).

Is red yeast rice extract a statin?

Red yeast rice extract naturally contains lovastatin, which keeps the body from making cholesterol. The lovastatin in the extract has the same chemical make-up as Mevacor, a cholesterol-lowering drug (statin) first developed by the drug company Merck.

Does red yeast rice interfere with levothyroxine?

No interactions were found between red yeast rice and Synthroid. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Can red yeast rice cause diarrhea?

In addition, 12 patients reported gastrointestinal reactions that included upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The researchers noted that muscle pain and liver damage are common side effects of statins, which countless people take to lower their cholesterol and their risk of heart attack and stroke.