HDL and LDL Explained

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Both animal and pilot human studies confirm the effectiveness of Chinese red rice for reducing serum lipid levels. A recent study published in Current Therapeutic Research documented the positive effects of Chinese red rice on blood lipid levels. Individuals receiving a Chinese red rice preparation during the 8-week study exhibited an average reduction of 22.7% in total cholesterol levels and 30.9% in LDL* cholesterol. Furthermore, triglycerides** dropped 34.1%, while HDL* levels increased 19.9%. Thus, researchers concluded that Chinese red rice was a highly effective dietary supplement for correcting elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides. 1,5

It is important to note that low HDL cholesterol levels are the most important predictor of coronary heart disease in individuals over 70. When HDL levels drop below 35 mg/dL, the risk for coronary heart disease becomes 2 1/2 times greater. Since as many heart attacks strike people with total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL as those with levels higher than 300 mg/dL, the National Institutes of Health, along with leading researchers, recommend maintaining HDL levels above 35 mg/dL. Fortunately, for every 1% increase in HDL cholesterol, an individual’s risk for heart attack drops 3-4%. 6-9

Additional support for Chinese red rice was presented when results from the first U.S. study of Chinese red rice, conducted at the UCLA Center for Clinical Nutrition, were released in April, 1998. Researchers found that individuals with moderately elevated cholesterol experienced an 18% reduction (from 254+-36 to 208+-31 mg/dL) after 8 weeks of supplementation with Chinese red rice. 10

Since Chinese red rice provides HMG-CoA reductase-inhibiting activity, supplementation with CoQ10 is recommended. Furthermore, because cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol, acts as a carrier for various antioxidants, increasing antioxidant intake when reducing cholesterol is also considered beneficial. 3,7

* HDL is good cholesterol and LDL is bad cholesterol

** Triglycerides are a type of blood fat linked to coronary artery disease. A reading below 200 is considered normal. The test for triglyceride levels is only accurate after a 12-hour fast. Factors which increase triglycerides include alcohol consumption, high sugar intake, very high carbohydrate intake, and extra body fat.

REFERENCES:
1 “Lipid-Lowering Effects of Red Yeast Rice.” Medical Sciences Bulletin; January 1998.
3 LaValle Rph, J.B. “A natural approach to cardiovascular disease and lowering cholesterol risk.”
5 Wang J., et al. “Multicenter clinical trial of the serum lipid-lowering effects of a Monascus Purpureus (Red Yeast) rice preparation from traditional Chinese medicine.” Current Therapeutic Research; 1997, 58(12): 964-978.
6 HDL More Important Than Total Cholesterol.” Nutrition Science News; January 1996.
7 Sardi, B. “The Cholesterol Conundrum.” Nutrition Science News; September 1998.
8 Corti, M.C., et al. “HDL cholesterol predicts coronary heart disease mortality in older persons.” Journal of the American Medical Association; 274(7): 539-544.
9 Murray ND, M. The Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publ., 1996.
10 Weil MD, A. “The Cholestin Controversy.” Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing; August 1998.