Red Yeast Rice with CoQ10
Naturally supports healthy blood lipid levels and myocardial energy production
- Helps maintain cholesterol levels already within normal range
- Promotes blood vessel and circulatory health
- Protects heart tissue from oxidative stress
- Helps inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol
Patient One Red Yeast Rice with Coenzyme Q10 supplies 600mg of Monascus purpureus, a preparation made from a red-colored yeast grown on white rice grains, complemented with 50mg of the antioxidant Coenzyme Q10. Together they naturally promote healthy blood cholesterol levels and support healthy cardiovascular function.
Key Ingredients
Red Yeast Rice
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels has been shown to be an important component of cardiovascular wellness. Red yeast rice (RYR), also known as Hong Qu, has been used in Chinese food and herbal medicine for centuries and is consumed in the typical Asian diet today. Monascus yeast produces a family of substances called monacolins, including monacolin K. Monacolins act as reversible inhibitors of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutarylcoenzyme A reductase, the key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis. In addition, red yeast rice has been found to contain sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and sapogenin), isoflavones and isoflavone glycosides, and monounsaturated fatty acids, all capable of lowering LDL cholesterol. Numerous studies over the past four decades have demonstrated that red yeast rice preparations are helpful in naturally maintaining blood cholesterol levels already in the normal range.
Beyond its support of heart health, RYR may be an ideal candidate for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. It has also been used to strengthen the spleen and stomach, and as such, promotes digestion, invigorates blood circulation, and eliminates blood stasis.
Coenzyme Q10
CoQ10 provides support to all cells throughout the body and is particularly supportive of tissues that require a lot of energy, such as the heart muscle. Coenzyme Q10 is often suppressed in those with cardiovascular conditions, and CoQ10 depletion is often associated with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Because there is also evidence that use of RYR can deplete coenzyme Q10, co-supplementation is recommended.
Antioxidant supplementation can be beneficial for healthy cardiovascular function by decreasing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. CoQ10 supports cardiac tissues by improving endothelial function and by having a direct anti-atherogenic effect, leading to lower blood pressure and improved myocardial contractility.
Research
- In a multi-center, randomized, single-blind trial, 502 patients with hyperlipidemia were treated with 600 mg of Hong Qu (Red Yeast Rice) twice daily (1200 mg total per day). After four weeks of treatment, the study reported 17% reduction in total cholesterol levels, 24.6% reduction in LDL-cholesterol, 19.8% decrease in triglycerides, and a 12.8% increase in HDL-cholesterol. After 8 weeks of treatment, the study reported 22.7% reduction in total cholesterol levels, 30.9% reduction in LDL-cholesterol, 34.1% decrease in triglycerides, and a 19.9% increase in HDL-cholesterol.
- Over 1, 100 patients with heart concerns were given 50-150 mg of CoQ10 daily for three months. At study’s end, cardiologists reported that 80% of the patients enjoyed positive results by taking CoQ10 as a complementary therapy. Overall, 54% of subjects enjoyed improvement in three or more heart symptoms, which researchers interpreted as an enhancement in quality of life.
References
- Bianchi A. Extracts of Monascusus purpureus beyond statins—profile of efficacy and safety of the use of extracts of Monascus purpureus. Chin J Integr Med. 2005 Dec;11(4):309-13. Review. [PMID: 16417786 ]
- Wang TH, Lin TF. Monascus rice products. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2007;53:123- 59. Review. [PMID: 17900498]
- Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red yeast rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:231-36. [PMID: 9989685]
- Gordon RY, Becker DJ. The role of red yeast rice for the physician. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2011 Feb;13(1):73-80. Review. [PMID: 21061097]
- Halbert SC, French B, Gordon RY, et al. Tolerability of red yeast rice (2, 400 mg twice daily) versus pravastatin (20 mg twice daily) in patients with previous statin intolerance. Am J Cardiol. 2010 Jan 15;105(2):198-204. [PMID: 20102918]
- Becker DJ, Gordon RY, Halbert SC, French B, Morris PB, Rader CJ. Red Yeast Rice for dyslipidemia in statin-intolerant patients. A randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2009;150:830-9.
- Langsjoen, P. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors (statins) and the associated depletion of the essential co-factor coenzyme Q10; a review of pertinent human and animal data. Langsjoen P, Langsjoen A. Supplemental Ubiquinol in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. Biofactors 32 (2008), 119-128.
- Vercelli L, Mongini T, Olivero N, et al. Chinese red rice depletes muscle coenzyme Q10 and maintains muscle damage after discontinuation of statin treatment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Apr;54(4):718-20. [PMID: 16686894]
- Littarru GP, Tiano L. Mol Biotechnol. Bioenergetic and antioxidant properties of coenzyme q10: recent developments. 2007 Sep ;37 (1):31-7 17914161 (P, S, G, E, B)
- Baggio E, Gandini R, Plancher AC, Passeri M, Carmosino G. Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure (interim analysis).