Lower LDLs with Fish Oil and Red Yeast
The objective of this recent study was to compare the lipid-lowering effects of lifestyle changes, red yeast rice and fish oil with a standard statin drug. The trial was randomized and contained 74 hypercholesterolemic clients. Participants were randomly assigned to an alternate treatment group (lifestyle changes, fish oil and red yeast rice) or to a statin group.
Body weight and BMI decreased in the alternate treatment group (ATG). Weight loss was 5% in the ATG group relative to .4% in the statin group. In the ATG, all lipid values except for HDL decreased, similar to the statin group. There was a statistically significant drop in the LDL fraction of the lipid values in the ATG cohort.
Dosages of red rice yeast are usually 1200 mg twice daily with food and fish oil recommendations range from 1-3 grams according to the American Heart Association. Participants were told to follow a Mediterrean Diet in the ATG cohort.
The study observed a similar reduction in serum LDLs in both groups, but members of the ATG had a substantial reduction in triglycerides and lost more weight. Last year 18% of Americans took natural products with unproven efficacy and many without the physician’s knowledge. Red rice yeast and fish oil may offer viable alternatives to those who cannot or will not take statins. It should also be emphasized that diet was a predominant variable in the ATG cohort.
It should be remembered that red rice yeast has an ingredient in it similar to the drug lovastatin and it is recommended that liver enzymes be checked periodically when taking red rice yeast. So, whether the client chooses alternative or conventional therapy, the physician should remain informed and involved.
More research is needed with larger groups of patients and with a tighter statistical design. There also needs to be some consensus on the dosage of fish oil and red rice yeast to administer and determinations made whether the dosages should be based on lipid levels or other cardiac variables such as whether heart disease is present or not, whether high blood pressure co-exists, etc. Nevertheless, this study offers insight into alternatives to statin therapy in hyperlipidemic patients.
About the author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
