Is red yeast rice a good alternative to statins?

The red yeast (Monascus purpureus) fermented on rice is the source of monacolins, a group of compounds that are natural statins. In fact, the cholesterol-lowering prescription drug Mevacor (Merck) is the trade name for the compound lovastatin (also known as monacolin K), one of the key monacolins in red yeast rice extract. The marketing of red yeast rice as a dietary supplement in the United States caused quite a controversy in 1997, since it contained a natural source of a prescription drug.

The FDA and Merck eventually were able to prohibit the sale of red yeast rice extracts as a dietary supplement if the red yeast rice product contains significant amounts of lovastatin. And since a red yeast rice that did not contain lovastatin would probably not be effective, then a red yeast rice product that is effective at lowering cholesterol is probably in violation of federal law. Here is my opinion.

It just does not make sense to take red yeast rice. Lovastatin is now a generic drug and one of the least expensive statins. And if you are interested in taking an alternative to statins, there are definitely better choices than red yeast rice.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.