There are many natural supplements for reducing cholesterol. One such supplement is known as Red Yeast Rice (also sold under the names Hong Qu, red rice, and red yeast). For many centuries, red yeast rice was one of the most popular methods of naturally reducing cholesterol, and dozens of products touted its ability to lower cholesterol.

Red yeast rice contains naturally occurring elements known as monacolins. Evidence has shown that Monacolins inhibit the creation of an enzyme known as ?HMG-CoA reductase,? which science has shown produces bad cholesterol production.

However, the primary monacolin, known as lovastatin, is one of the primary ingredients in several prescription medications for lowering cholesterol. As a result, the FDA has banned red yeast rice due to the strict supervision necessary to safely distribute lovastatin.

Red yeast rice contains a number of side effects that require it to be prescribed by your doctor. Some of these side effects include:

Muscle and joint pain

Damage to the peripheral nerves

Heartburn and indigestion

Dizziness and headache

Bloating

Liver inflammation and gas

In addition, red yeast rice can cause myopathy ? a disease where the muscles fibers no longer function appropriately, resulting in considerable muscle weakness.

In rare instances, red yeast rice can cause Rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a muscle disease where the tissues degenerate at a rapid pace, ultimately leading to kidney disease. Myoglobin, one of the ingredients of muscle fibers, gets naturally extracted from your muscles and sent into the bloodstream, where it gathers in the kidneys and acts like a harmful toxin.

Finally, red yeast rice has also been shown to contain citrinin, a toxic substance that is harmful to the liver.

While there is no doubt of a connection between red yeast rice & cholesterol, the supplement contains numerous risks. As a result, it is clear why the compound has been banned by the FDA, and should only be administered with strict doctor supervision. In each of those cases, the doctor will likely provide you with alternative cholesterol medicine instead ? medicine that has already undergone rigorous scientific testing.

There are equally effective natural supplements that have shown the same ability to reduce cholesterol without any of the harmful side effects. As a result, red yeast rice supplements should be generally avoided.

If you are looking for a supplement to reduce cholesterol, consider Vasacor. It is an all natural supplement that contains the leading ingredients for cholesterol reduction.