Red Rice Yeast More Effective than Statin Meds for Preventing Heart Attacks

New research shows that red rice yeast extract, at a dose of 600 mg 2x day, is much more effective at preventing heart attacks than the cholesterol lowering medication lovastatin (one of the biggest selling drugs in the world). Interestingly, red rice yeast contains a naturally occurring form of the medication lovastatin, at a lower dose, along with other active plant compounds. Though this natural product is safer, cheaper, and far more effective than the medication, the FDA has made it illegal to sell in the US, and most products advertised as red rice yeast may not have any of the active component.

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Article in Medscape (free registration required).