Fish oil plus red yeast rice compared to statins in cholesterol lowering

Natural supplements health news: A combination of fish oils, red yeast rice coupled with lifestyle changes reduced cholesterol levels by the same amount as a daily statin pill, according to a randomized-trial research findings from the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

David Becker, MD, and coworkers at UPenn recruited 74 people with hypercholesterolaemia and randomly assigned them to receive a daily statin dose of simvastatin (40 mg/d) or the fish oil (EPA 2106 mg/d, DHA 1680 mg/d, N3 Oceanic) and red yeast rice (N3 Oceanic). The red yeast rice contained a total monacolin content of 5.3 mg, with 2.53 mg in the form of monacolin K (lovastatin). After 12 weeks of intervention, the researchers found statistically significant LDL reductions in both groups, but no difference between the groups. LDL-cholesterol levels were reduced by 42.4 per cent following consumption of the fish oil and red yeast rice combination, compared to reductions of 39.6 per cent in the statin group.

In addition to the LDL reduction, the fish oil/ red yeast rice combination also produced significant reductions in triglyceride levels of 29 per cent, compared to a non-significant nine per cent reduction in the statin group. The researchers attributed the triglyceride-lowering effects to the fish oil based on other reports pointing to similar effect.

Highlights about Red Yeast Rice (RYR):

• RYR is the product of yeast grown on rice; a dietary staple in some Asian countries.
• RYR reportedly contains several compounds that inhibit cholesterol production.
• Speculating on a mode of action of their findings, Becker and co-workers indicated that RYR contains naturally occurring lovastatin and nine different substances called monacolins that could inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase.
• The dose of RYR in the study (2.4-3.6 g/d) was equivalent to a daily lovastatin dose of 10 to 15 mg, less than the established therapeutic dose (20-40 mg).

“Lifestyle changes combined with ingestion of red yeast rice and fish oil reduced LDL-C in proportions similar to standard therapy with simvastatin,” the researchers conclude.

The full text is published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Reference: D.J. Becker, R.Y. Gordon, P.B. Morris, J. Yorko, Y.J. Gordon, M. Li, N. Iqbal, “Simvastatin vs Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes and Supplements: Randomized Primary Prevention Trial”; Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008, Vol. 83 (7) Pages 758-764.

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Cholesterol Control: Reduce LDL, Boost HDL, Lifelong Supplements™

Cholesterol makes vital contributions to health, a major component of all human cell membranes and a building block of steroid hormones, including cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone.  However, high levels of cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”), have a long association with many diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death in the world. CVD are diseases of the heart and blood vessels that can cause heart attacks and stroke.  More than 100 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol.

High levels of LDL cholesterol dramatically increase the risk for heart attacks, angina, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. Excess LDL cholesterol accumulation in artery walls may lead to chemical changes, including oxidation; the body interprets these changes as “danger” and responds by drawing inflammatory compounds into arteries.  This process ultimately leads to both the build-up of plaque in the artery walls and chronic inflammation. Thus lowering LDL cholesterol, boosting HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”) and protecting cholesterol from oxidation are effective ways to maintain a healthy heart and reduce risk of heart disease.

According to recent Harvard HealthBeat report, for healthy people, an LDL of 160 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) was once considered acceptable; now 130 mg/dL is okay, and 100 mg/dL, ideal. For people with stable coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, or other major cardiovascular risk factors, the targets are more stringent still: 100 mg/dL is okay, 70 mg/dL or less, ideal. And for patients with unstable coronary heart disease, it’s 70 mg/dL or bust.

Diet, weight control, and exercise are essential for lowering blood cholesterol. When diet and exercise alone are not enough to reduce cholesterol to goal levels, doctors often prescribe medication, the most prominent being the statins (FDA Consumer Health Information). 

Dietary approaches to lower blood cholesterol and CVD risk include consuming diets low in saturated fats and trans fats and high in heart-healthy ingredients such as fish oil omega-3, soluble dietary fiber (e.g., beta-glucan rich oats and barley), soy protein, plant sterols, dietary antioxidants, etc.  Botanical-based products such as cocoa, green tea and fruits contain heart-healthy flavonoids and other polyphenols that minimize oxidative stress.  These heart-healthy ingredients are also commercially available in concentrated forms as nutritional supplements (powder, capsules, and tablets). 

Give your health a boost with safe lifelong supplements™! Helpful health and wellness tips from: lifelonghp.com, blog.lifelong supplements and health bulletin.

Omega-3s, 21st Century Health Supplement: Multifunctional Lifelong Supplement™

“The most pressing issue for the 21^st Century is nutrition, with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders all linked to diet, and omega-3 will play a major role” (Dr. Dyerberg, Omega-3 pioneer).  According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), “in the last few years, experts have looked at omega-3s and asthma, cancer, the aging brain, dementia, neurological diseases, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, lupus, osteoporosis, eye health, mental health, and more”. Since the landmark paper by Dr. Dyerberg in 1971, there have been more than 14,000 published papers (on omega-3) and close to 8,000 human studies. 

It is important for consumers to differentiate the various types of omega-3s: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).  According to Consumer watchdog (Consumer Lab), “EPA and DHA are the two principal fatty acids found in fish. They belong to a family of essential nutrients known as omega-3 fatty acids. DHA can also be obtained from other marine sources, such as algae (algal oil). EPA and DHA are polyunsaturated fats (“good” fats, as opposed to saturated fats which are thought to increase the risk of heart disease).  The body can manufacture both EPA and DHA from another essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – found in flaxseed oil, canola oil, soy oil and walnut oil – but only to a limited extent.

The most compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefit provided by omega-3 fatty acids comes from three large controlled trials of 32,000 participants randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing DHA and EPA or to act as controls, according to a meta-analysis published in the March 2008 Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2008; 83(3): 324-332). These trials showed reductions in cardiovascular events of 19- 45%. These findings suggest that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from dietary sources or fish oil supplements, should be increased, especially in those with or at risk for coronary artery disease.  According to the findings, while two meals of oily fish per week can provide 400-500 mg/d of DHA and EPA, secondary prevention patients and those with hypertriglyceridemia must use fish oil supplements if they are to reach 1 g/d and 3-4 g/d of DHA and EPA, respectively.
  
Give your health a boost with safe lifelong supplements™! Helpful health and wellness tips from: lifelonghp.com, blog.lifelong supplements and health bulletin.