Anniversaries are occasions to celebrate and reflect on special times in our lives, relationships generally, weddings or work related milestones. These occasions but also occur in the field of medicine.

In 1999, research began to appear in medical journals of a substance known as Krill oil, rich oil that is extracted from krill, bottom feeders found in the Antarctic Ocean. Krill has also been used in traditional practice of Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years to support healthy digestion and good circulation. The reason for the interest in modern Western medicine has to do with its resemblance to a relatively new class of cholesterol lowering supplement called “krill oil”.

Krill oil Benefits

Krill oil contains a group of chemicals called monacolins.  Monacolin K is chemically identical to lovastatin, sold as a prescription drug (Mevacor). The difference between Mevacor and RYR is that also contains many other natural substances such as fatty acids and other pigments rich in antioxidants like phytochemicals and trace minerals and tannins. Due to the different chemical composition of RYR, there was hope that they could provide an effective and safe alternative to more expensive statins and controversial. What has been learned in the last decade, helps clarify the promise and the reality of krill oil.

The latest research on the cardiovascular effects of Krill oil appears in the June issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. In that trial, 62 volunteers with high cholesterol were divided into two groups. One group received a total of 3,600 mg of krill oil (1,800 mg twice daily) and the rest of the participants were given identical looking placebos. All volunteers also participate in a “program of 12 weeks of therapeutic lifestyle change.” Blood tests were performed before, during and after study to test the efficacy and safety of RYR benign versus placebo. This is what researchers found:

• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels dropped by an average of 43 mg / dl in the brand of the week 12 and 35 mg / dl after 24 weeks. The 8 mg / dl change in point 24 weeks may indicate that the addition of lifestyle program lead to an additive effect by lowering cholesterol.
• The levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and all measures of toxicity (liver enzymes and pain scores) were comparable in the RYR and placebo groups.

The study authors concluded that “Krill oil and lifestyle change therapeutic level of LDL cholesterol reduction without increasing the levels of CPK or pain and may be a treatment option for patients with dyslipidemia who cannot tolerate statin therapy. ” CPK is a marker indicating muscle damage (myalgia), a potential side effect of statin therapy.

Previous studies have shown RYR using a more impressive reduction in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammatory markers.  However, the results have been erratic. This may be due to differences in how manufacturers grow RYR. The basic process involves inoculation of rice with a specific mold, usually Monascus purpureus. But due to problems of quality and safety, other molds can also be used as Monascus pilosus.

The issue of security is a very real consideration for those considering the red yeast rice. As I said, the similarity of Mevacor, statin medication, immediately sends alarms some medical authorities. There is preliminary evidence that these concerns are justified. No side effects have been documented widespread, but some case reports point to the possibility that RYR may not be appropriate for people with compromised liver function, previous indications of myopathy (muscle injury) and other health vulnerabilities.

Some potential hazards can be compensated for simultaneously supplement with the antioxidant CoQ10. Statins (including RYR) appears to interfere with the body’s ability to produce CoQ10. This is a very important observation because CoQ10 appears to play a valuable role in promoting cardiovascular health. In addition, coenzyme Q10 is present in all tissues that may be adversely affected by statin therapy, as the system of the heart, liver and muscle. If that’s not reason enough to recommend CoQ10, while the use of statins has been suggested recently that their combined use can provide a synergistic antioxidant effect in the heart and entire body. (15) This theory is supported by a new study published in the journal Diabetes Care that found that the addition of CoQ10 in patients treated with statins improved endothelial function.

On the positive side of the safety issue, it was an essay published in 2008 that followed nearly 5,000 people for an average of 4.5. years. In this study, 45% lower risk of heart attack and death was found in participants with RYR. Total mortality (all forms of death) was also 33% lower in the RYR. In addition, the group that consumed daily RYR experienced reductions in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and a 33% decrease in the need for heart-related surgery. This particular research also found an improvement in HDL (“good cholesterol”).

If you decide to try RYR, please do so with the cooperation of your cardiologist or primary care physician. It is important to take into account any signs of adverse reactions such as digestive disorders, liver disorders, memory problems and muscle pain. I’d also seriously consider the use of CoQ10, taking RYR or any statin. Given the general lack of consistency in commercially available products, please ask lots of questions before choosing a product. Then be sure to have regular blood tests to determine if the product is operating safely for you. Do not take any unnecessary risks with their health.

Finally, if you prefer to use a natural remedy for managing different levels of cholesterol, consider flax seed. A meta-analysis in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reviewed 28 studies in the past two decades and found that lignans and flax seeds could significantly reduce LDL cholesterol, total and improved sensitivity insulin. The effects were more pronounced in postmenopausal women, but other studies have found benefits for both sexes.