Statin Based Drugs

There is a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol based on what are called statins. If you are taking a prescription medication, then you are undoubtedly taking one of these drugs. However, some question has arisen over their long term safety. Among the negative side effects are headaches, difficulty sleeping, muscle aches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and other abdominal problems. In some cases statins lead to serious muscle damage.

Red Yeast Rice

Some people in the nutritional supplement industry have touted the Chinese originated Red Yeast Rice as an alternative to these medications, but the fact is that it contains a naturally occurring statin, but a statin none the less. In fact, the FDA has restricted the statin in Red Yeast Rice, and at the moment, the jury is out on just how effective it is for cholesterol lowering in current forms. That means that care should be taken in its use… the same care as in using a prescription statin drug. The safest alternative is to try every other alternative before using Red Yeast Rice. Most importantly, monitor your cholesterol levels carefully if you intend to use Red Yeast Rice. Too low a cholesterol level can be as bad as too high a level.

The alternatives to try before Red Yeast Rice are

• A well balanced diet
• Exercise
• Apple pectin
• Calcium
• Chromium picolinate
• CoQ10
• Fiber (Oat Bran)
• Garlic
• L-Carnitine
• Vitamin B complex
• Vitamin C
• Cayenne
• Hawthorn berries
• Cinnamon

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