| The natural nutrients guggul and red yeast rice have | | | | Two other research trials in India confirmed that |
| been used for hundreds of years in the worlds oldest | | | | guggul can lower total cholesterol and raise HDL |
| healing traditions, Ayurvedic medicine of India and | | | | (so-called "good cholesterol"). Some people in the |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). | | | | clinical trials reported mild digestive upset. There are |
| Red yeast rice, used since the 7th century A.D. in | | | | no other reports of adverse side effects. |
| China , is actually a cooked rice by-product which has | | | | The effects that it has on blood cholesterol levels is |
| been dried, and then used for medicinal purposes. | | | | comparable to prescription cholesterol drugs, but it is |
| Traditionally, it has been used as a digestive stimulant | | | | without the side effects since it is a natural plant |
| and to improve blood circulation. | | | | extract. |
| The benefits of red yeast rice are attracting | | | | Are Guggul and Red Yeast Rice Safe? |
| attention today largely because of its effectiveness | | | | The safety of red yeast rice is sometimes called into |
| in safely lowering cholesterol. It's effectiveness for | | | | question by some researchers. Their argument is that |
| this purpose is backed by numerous reliable research | | | | since it contains compounds that seem to produce an |
| studies as well as centuries of use in Traditional | | | | effect similar to cholesterol lowering statin drugs, it |
| Chinese Medicine. | | | | may produce dangerous adverse side effects as do |
| Recent research has shown that people who had to | | | | the drugs. So far, current research does not support |
| discontinue use of prescription statin cholesterol drugs | | | | this theory, although more research is needed, for |
| because of adverse side effects did well with red | | | | now there is no solid evidence that red yeast rice is |
| yeast rice and had impressive improvements in | | | | unsafe. |
| cholesterol levels. | | | | Guggul & red yeast rice are natural remedies |
| The herb guggul has been used in Ayurvedic medicine | | | | that are mild and gentle to the body. They can be |
| traditionally for a wide range of conditions, including | | | | used safely for extended periods of time without |
| balancing cholesterol and triglyceride levels and it's | | | | risk of addiction. Centuries of use and modern |
| effectiveness for these conditions is now backed by | | | | research have shown these nutrients to be safe and |
| solid clinical research. | | | | without significant side effects. |
| In one particular research study, after three months | | | | Since everyone responds differently, you may want |
| of using guggul the result was lower levels of total | | | | to consult your health care provider before starting |
| cholesterol and serum triglycerides (ave. 23% | | | | any supplementation program or to have any |
| reduction) in the majority of participants. | | | | questions or concerns addressed. |