[Pixel22]

Reading on another thread and trying to educate myself. Several months ago I started Red Yeast Rice for high cholesterol. My physician didn't push a statin as she said this is more natural and causes fewer side effects. I've been taking it religiously since then. I'm not saying it caused it, but a couple of months after starting it is when the burning and tingling started. I'm wondering if it's possible it aggravated things. I'm also wondering if I opt out of taking it, what else may be helpful.

[mrsD]

Red Yeast rice has statin compounds in it. The first statin was derived from it. So yes, it carries the same potential to be damaging, to muscles and nerves as the RX statins.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Pixel22

My physician didn't push a statin as she said this is more natural and causes fewer side effects.
....
I'm also wondering if I opt out of taking it, what else may be helpful.

Another popular cholesterol-lowering supplement is red yeast rice. There is some evidence that red yeast rice can help lower your LDL cholesterol. However, the Food and Drug Administration has warned that red yeast rice products could contain a naturally occurring form of the prescription medication known as lovastatin. Lovastatin in the red yeast rice products in question is potentially dangerous because there's no way for you to know what level or quality of lovastatin might be in red yeast rice.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...s/art-20050980

My wife controls her cholesterol with slo-niacin. She takes it at bedtime with vitamin C, which (for her) eliminates any flushing. She also takes NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) and pantothenic acid (B5) which also affect cholesterol.

niacin for cholesterol

nac for cholesterol

pantothenic acid for cholesterol

For some others, see: supplements for cholesterol

Doc