Control
Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally,
Without Dangerous Drugs
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the
lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's an important part of a healthy
body because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and is needed for other functions. But a
high level of cholesterol in the blood ? hypercholesterolemia ? is a major risk factor for coronary
heart disease, which leads to heart attack.
Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the
blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins.
There are several kinds, but the ones to focus on are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density
lipoprotein (HDL).
Low-density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol
carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in
the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form
plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as
atherosclerosis. A clot (thrombus) that forms near this plaque can block the blood flow to part of the
heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the blood flow to part of the brain, a stroke
results. A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) reflects an increased risk of heart
disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol
reflect a lower risk of heart disease.
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is
carried by HDL. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back
to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol
from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol because a
high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level (less
than 40 mg/dL) indicates a greater risk. A low HDL cholesterol level also may raise stroke risk.
Here's an easy way to remember the difference between
HDL and LDL: HDL is healthy, but LDL is lousy!
NSP's new Red Yeast Rice supports the body's ability
to maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range, and it offers nutritional support to
the circulatory system. Each capsule contains 600 mg of Red Yeast Rice (Monoascus purpureus).
When taken as recommended, NSP Red Yeast Rice will deliver desired benefits similar to those of our
former product Cholester-Reg?.
Red Rice Yeast contains important substances known as HMG-CoA (hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme
A) reductase inhibitors. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are highly-effective lipid-lowering agents,
which reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels by restricting the rate-limiting enzyme (HMG-CoA
reductase) responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Red Yeast Rice also contains
unsaturated fatty adds that help lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (1-4)
Both animal and pilot human studies confirm the effectiveness of Red
Yeast Rice for reducing serum lipid levels. A recent study published in Current Therapeutic
Research documented the positive effects of Red Yeast Rice on blood lipid levels. Individuals
receiving a Red Yeast Rice preparation during the 8-week study exhibited an average reduction of 22.7%
in total cholesterol levels and 30.9% in LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, triglycerides dropped 34.1%,
while HDL levels increased 19.9%. Thus, researchers concluded that Red Yeast Rice was a highly
effective dietary supplement for correcting elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides. (1,5)
It is important to note that low HDL cholesterol levels are the most
important predictor of coronary heart disease in individuals over 70. When HDL levels drop below 35
mg/dL, the risk for coronary heart disease becomes 2? times greater. Since as many heart attacks
strike people with total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL as those with levels higher than 300 mg/dL,
the National Institutes of Health, along with leading researchers, recommend maintaining HDL levels
above 35 mg/dL. Fortunately, for every 1% increase in HDL cholesterol, an individual's risk for heart
attack drops 3-4%. (6-9)
Additional support for Red Yeast Rice was presented when results
from the first U.S. study of Red Yeast Rice, conducted at the UCLA Center for Clinical Nutrition, were
released in April, 1998. Researchers found that individuals with moderately elevated cholesterol
experienced an 18% reduction (from 254?36 to 208?31 mg/dL) after 8 weeks of supplementation with Red
Yeast Rice. (10)
Since Red Yeast Rice provides HMG-CoA reductase-inhibiting activity,
supplementation with CoQ10 is recommended. Furthermore, because cholesterol, particularly LDL
cholesterol, acts as a carrier for various antioxidants, increasing antioxidant intake when reducing
cholesterol is also considered beneficial. (3,7)
Red Yeast Rice is not recommended for the following conditions:
during pregnancy or nursing, or for women planning to become pregnant in the near future; for
individuals with or at risk for liver disease; for organ transplant recipients; during recovery from a
recent surgery. (3,10-12)
Since numerous scientific studies support lowering cholesterol
levels to help prevent coronary heart disease, Red Yeast Rice offers individuals a natural alternative
to prescription medications.
References:
1 "Lipid-Lowing Effects of Red Yeast Rice." Medical Sciences Bulletin;
January 1998.
2 "Fungi in the mainstream." Herbs For Health; Vol.2, No.3: 66-68.
3 LaValle RPh, J.B. "A natural approach to cardiovascular disease and lowering
cholesterol risk."
4 Segelman PhD, Alvin B. "Hongqu." NSP National Convention; August 29, 1998.
5 Wang J., et al. "Multicenter clinical trial of the serum lipid-lowering effects
of a Monascus Purpureus (Red Yeast) rice preparation from traditional Chinese medicine."
Current Therapeutic Research; 1997, 58(12): 964-978.
6 "HDL More Important Than Total Cholesterol." Nutrition Science News;
January 1996.
7 Sardi, B. "The Cholesterol Conundrum." Nutrition Science News; September
1998.
8 Corti, M.C., et al. "HDL cholesterol predicts coronary heart disease mortality
in older persons." Journal of the American Medical Association; 274(7): 539-544.
9 Murray ND, M. The Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA:
Prima Publ., 1996.
10 Weil MD, A. "The Cholestin Controversy." Dr Andrew Well's Self Healing;
August 1998.
11 Folkers, K., et al. "Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans."
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; 87(22): 8931-8934.
12 HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Systemic)." MayoClinic USP Drug Infomiation,
1997.
13 Blane, P.J., et al. "Characterization of monascidin A from Monascus as
citrinin." International Journal of Food Microbiology; 27(2-3): 201-213.
14 Hallfrisch, J., et al. "High plasma vitamin C associated with high plasma HDL-
and HDL-cholesterol." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 60(1)100-105.
15 Hamilton, K. "Cholesterol, vitamin C and vitamin E." Health Counselor;
June/July 1997.
16 Wassef RPh, F. "Cardiovascular disease: Reading the correct road signs."
American Journal of Natural Medicine; Vol.5, No.7:12-17.
17 Murray ND, M. and Pizzorno ND, J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. 2nd
Ed. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1998.
18 Podell MD, R. "Bioflavonoids Contribute To Heart Disease Risk." Nutrition
Science News; August 1996.
Copyright ? 1998 Herb Allure ? Reprinted under license by
Abundant Life Herb Shop, Parkersburg, WV.
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This Week's Specials
Sale prices valid March 8-12 only
(2004)
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RED YEAST
RICE (120)
Description: Circulatory
System
Red Yeast Rice supports the body's ability to maintain cholesterol levels already
within the normal range, and it offers nutritional support to the circulatory system. Each capsule
contains 600 mg of Red Yeast Rice (Monoascus purpureus). When taken as recommended, NSP Red
Yeast Rice will deliver desired benefits similar to those of our former product Cholester-Reg?.
Dosage: Take 2 capsules with a meal two to three times
daily.
BLACK
WALNUT(100)
