Red yeast rice can be key to lowering cholesterol

I heard that red yeast rice can help lower cholesterol, but I'd like to know more about the pros and cons.

Red yeast rice is a Chinese product that has been used for centuries in food as a preservative, flavoring and coloring agent. It also has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for indigestion and to promote blood circulation.

Red yeast rice can lower cholesterol. It contains compounds related to statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor). A 2008 study reported that red yeast rice can nearly halve the risk of a second heart attack.

Readers like this one have had success with red yeast rice: "My cholesterol continued to rise in spite of my attempts to control it with diet. . . . my cardiologist suggested I try red yeast rice. Within six weeks, my LDL level had dropped from 187 to 123." Despite such success, some people experience side effects: muscle pain, weakness and liver damage.







I've been advised to use diaper-rash ointment containing zinc oxide to keep my horse's muzzle from getting sunburned. I've been wondering if this would also work to keep me from developing a "horsewoman's tan."

For decades, lifeguards have used white zinc oxide to keep their noses from burning. It blocks both UVA and UVB rays and provides excellent protection. You could try the diaper-rash ointment or get a sunscreen that contains zinc and titanium. New formulations have microfine particles that don't leave white color.

Reach Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon at www.peoples pharmacy.com or in care of this newspaper.