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Sandy701's Journal, 04 July 2012
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Walked 3.1 miles this morning via the lake route....UGH Index a very solid 9, even with cloud cover! DH took doggies right after 6:30, but that was FAR too early for me, even though it's "cooler" then.
Thunderstorms moved in shortly after noon, so I'm not sure if we'll get any grilling in. About the time I was ready to go out and get it all done early, the thunder began and it wasn't long before the rain started. Luckily, I got a swim in when I got back from walking....right now the rain is getting my suit and towel soaked, as I left them outside to dry.
My doctor talked about the possibility of taking some red yeast rice to lower cholesterol numbers. He didn't say DO it, but threw it out there as a possibility, as he had another patient whose numbers were improved when the guy took the supplement.
Anyway, while I'm still open to reading more on it and perhaps changing my opinion, so far, from what I've read, it is NOT anything I'd take! It is made by fermenting a red yeast on rice, a natural process that is used as a food and supplement in Asia. So far, so good.
One of the components of red yeast rice (RYR) has a chemical composition identical to lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering statin. That seems to be why it works.
Here's the problem. The FDA forbids the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of any forms of red yeast rice containing the lovastatin compound, because lovastatin is a regulated substance. So, if the RYR sold in the US can't have any lovastatin compound, will it still lower cholesterol? And....because RYR is considered a supplement, which is unregulated in the US, will you or will you not, find any lovastatin compound in what you buy, even in violation of the FDA? AND....if so, how much?
While an undated UCLA study showed a very nice drop in total cholesterol, LDL values, and triglycerides in a test group using RYR, in the general article describing this study, there was no stated determination of whether or not the RYR used in the study had the lovastatin-like component in it. The RYR did NOT produce any liver side effects in the 12-week study. That is considered important because liver dysfunction is a problem with statin drugs.
In 2001, the UCLA group published results of their analysis of 9 OTC samples of RYR (not sure if this was done as a part of the above study, or if this was done separately). Only 1 out of the 9 samples had the full complement of compounds they expected to find. (The article describing this study didn't indicate if the missing components in the 8 samples included the lovastatin compound.) But perhaps, most worrisome was that SEVEN out of NINE had measurable levels of citrinin, a TOXIC by-product of fermentation!
Remember....these supplements (like all supplements) are unregulated so you really don't know what you're getting....or how much of an active ingredient might be in there.
I think I'll skip the RYR for now....
Diet Calendar Entries for 04 July 2012:
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1220 kcal
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Fat: 81.41g | Prot: 76.40g | Carb: 65.98g.
Breakfast: eggs, Hormel turkey pepperoni, Hunt's petite diced tomatoes, Kraft shredded mozzarella cheese, Pieces & Stems Mushrooms, Kraft shredded colby jack cheese, Hunt's no salt added tomato sauce, heavy cream, Kraft Shredded Parmesan cheese, Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese (foil bricks). Lunch: Maple Grove Farms Sugar Free Pancake Mix, Johnsonville Brown Sugar & Honey sausages, Mrs. Butterworth's Sugar Free Syrup, Truvia packets, butter, blueberries, egg. Dinner: Johnsonville original bratwurst, Heinz reduced sugar ketchup, Peru sweet onions, Vlasic Snack'mmms kosher dill pickles. Snacks/Other: Sorrento Colby Jack Sticksters (10:30 PM), roasted and salted pumpkin seeds (bulk), raspberries, Endulge Peanut Caramel Cluster Bar. more...
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1820 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Swimming (slow) - 10 minutes, Walking (exercise) - 3.5/mph - 53 minutes, Resting - 14 hours and 57 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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 Comments
Interesting update on the red yeast rice. If you are going to take a statin drug you might as well take something that is regulated (and without the toxins). Don't let this ruin your holiday!
04 Jul 12 by member: BuffyBear
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Very interesting Sandy, but I agree with your choice. Since supplements aren't subject to any government regulation, you have no way of knowing what you're taking actually contains any of the beneficial components you're looking for. Even worse, they may contain toxins and you also have no way of knowing that. Skipping it seems prudent. I agree with Buffy, don't let it ruin your holiday!
04 Jul 12 by member: MrsB1228
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Buffy, one of the articles on RYR made exactly that point....why not go with something that has a guaranteed amount of the drug as opposed to something that may have NO drug in it....or too much drug! No, RYR cannot ruin my holiday!
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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Carol, this is a case where a little government regulation might just be a good thing!
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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Wow, that all sounds complicated. There must be other ways to reduce your cholesterol.
05 Jul 12 by member: Helewis
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Your journals are quite scientific. I enjoy reading the helpful information & often the reading is like going through one of my diet books. I am glad to have you as a buddy because you are a helpful "resource." Great work - Reseacrh Assistant!
05 Jul 12 by member: wiener4
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