Thursday, May 24, 2012

RED YEAST RICE




This ancient Chinese staple could have knocked costly statins out of the ballpark
“We own it” said the pharmaceutical industry in the US with the help of the FDA
And now, Red Yeast Rice on the shelves in the US is stripped of its beneficial ingredient



For centuries red yeast rice (RYR) has been used as a staple in China and Japan.  It has been consumed as a preservative, food colorant, spice, and as an ingredient in rice wine


Red yeast rice is a product of the fermentation of red yeast (Monascus purpureus) on rice. Since 800 A.D. the Chinese have used red yeast rice medicinally to improve circulation, alleviate indigestion, as an anti-diarrheal, and since the 1970’s…both Japanese, Chinese, and US scientists have recognized its ability to lower plaque causing blood lipids…  LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

In 1977, Professor Endo in Japan discovered a natural cholesterol-lowering substance that is produced by a strain of Monascus yeast. This substance inhibits an enzyme that is important for the production of cholesterol in the body. Professor Endo named this substance moncacolin K. Since then, scientists have discovered a total of eight monacolin-like substances that have cholesterol-lowering properties.  They are all derived from red yeast rice.

The active ingredients in RYR were developed into a supplement that was available over the counter in health food stores under the trade names Cholestin and Hypocol;  Both products were produced through the fermentation of selected strains of Monascus purpureus, using a proprietary process that produces a certain concentration of monacolin K.   It is interesting to note that lovastatin (the cholesterol lowering drug known as Mevacor) is currently made of monacolin K.

Studies have shown that red yeast rice can significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and specifically LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. One showed that taking 2.4 grams per day of red yeast rice reduced LDL levels by 22% and total cholesterol by 16% in 12 weeks. Another study showed that taking 1.2 grams per day lowered LDL levels by 26% in just eight weeks.

Although studies showed that using RYR did safely lower cholesterol and triglycerides ….the FDA soon determined it was ILLEGAL to market RYR that contained more than trace amounts of monacolin K.  The products that were available over the counter that worked to safely lower cholesterol and triglycerides were pulled.  Although Cholestin is still sold (HypoCol is not), the monacolin K had to be reduced to trace amounts.  It was no illegal to sell RYR that contained monacolin K in an amount that would help lower lipids.

Note that at this time, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Mevacor argued that it owned the rights to the ingredient lovastatin.  So, the FDA approved the use of monacolin K for pharmaceutical manufacture and distribution.  As a side note:  the minimum amount of the cholesterol lowering piece of Mevacor is 10mg.  Also, serious side effects have been linked to statins including possible damage to the kidneys, liver, and muscles.

These are the reasons the FDA gave for making RYR manufacturers scale back their cholesterol lowering ingredients to trace amounts:
Statin drugs are associated with muscle and kidney injury when used alone or combined with other medications. There is concern that patients who already take statin drugs with or without these other medications may increase their risk of muscle or kidney injury. (Perhaps RYR would negate the need to take the statins?)
Second, the FDA considers the products containing red yeast rice with high levels of cholesterol lowering substances to be new, unapproved drugs for which marketing violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (The statins contain high levels of cholesterol lowering substances)
  
So….The FDA acknowledged that statins are potentially harmful to muscles, liver, and kidneys.  Monacolin K in RYR might actually lower cholesterol without people being tied into a lifetime of costly statins.  The  FDA promptly removed the beneficial levels of RYR from the US market.

As previously mentioned, the statin Mevacor is made of highly purified and concentrated lovastatin (monacolin K).  It is STRONG MEDICINE.  The monacolin K in HypoCol and Cholestin was much lower in concentration.  In each 600mg capsule of Cholestin, there was less than 2.4mg of lovastatin.  Mevacor tablets have 10mg or more per tablet! 

In fact, Cholestin and HypoCol contained a mixture of the eight yeast-produced monacolins, unsaturated fatty acids, and certain anti-oxidants. Some scientists believe that these other monacolins, unsaturated fatty acids, and anti-oxidants may work together favorably with the lovastatin to enhance its cholesterol-lowering effects, as well as its ability in lowering triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol.

No large, long-term studies of red yeast rice products for the prevention of heart attacks have yet been conducted. However, animal studies are underway at UCLA comparing red yeast rice to a statin drug (such as Mevacor) for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

As for side effects of RYR, human trials in China and the US, although lasting months and not years, showed only rare and minor side effects like heartburn or indigestion.  No liver, kidney, or muscle toxicity was reported.  Come to think of it, the Chinese have been consuming RYR for centuries without side effects.  This is much more than we can say for our statins.

Unfortunately, the RYR products currently available in the US do not contain sufficient cholesterol lowering substances to aid in lipid reduction.

What says the Mayo Clinic about RYR?
Since the 1970s, human studies have reported that red yeast lowers blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein/LDL ("bad cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels. 


Preliminary evidence shows that taking Monascus purpureus by mouth may result in cardiovascular benefits and improve blood flow. Additional study is needed before a firm
recommendation can be made. 


Early human evidence suggests the potential for benefits in diabetics. Additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made. 


If RYR were available in beneficial dosages, it might not be safe for everyone. You would not take it if you:
  • Have kidney disease
  • Have liver disease 
  • Are pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding


In addition, the following medications should not be mixed with RYR 
  • Statins to control cholesterol such as Crestor, Lescol, Lipitor, Pravachol, Mevacor, and Zocor
  • Other cholesterol drugs such as Lopid and Tricor
  • Drugs to suppress the immune system, like cyclosporine
  • Antifungal drugs such as Diflucan, Nizoral, and Sporanox
  • The antibiotics erythromycin and Biaxin
  • Serzone, an antidepressant
  • Protease inhibitors, used to treat HIV


People who have allergies to fungus or yeast should also be wary of using red yeast rice.
Always talk to your doctor before you start using red yeast rice or any other supplement.

As for RYR, it is possible to obtain it out of the US.  The problem is that you will not be sure of its purity, actual concentration of monacolin K, additives, etc.  It’s a shame that a natural substance that has been ingested for over 1000 years without incident, known to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in less than ¼ the dose in the lowest dose of a statin, and would be very affordable was removed from US access so that the pharmaceutical industry could market it in a super powerful dose with known side effects…and a hefty price tag.




Wednesday, May 16, 2012

What the billion dollar Weight Loss "industry" does NOT want you to know about "THE CLOCK."


THE CLOCK



By leaving this one piece of information out of all weight loss diets, you are sure to lose/regain/lose/regain and keep the “weight loss industry” coffers filled to the brim.





The human body is a machine, a top of the line, expertly designed machine...like a Lamborghini.
When healthy, it works in a very precise and methodical way.  When the body is studied, it is possible to see the intricate connections between its systems.  Cells, organs, glands, hormones, enzymes, muscles, bones: all connected and backing each other up.  There are survival mechanisms that immediately activate when the top tier mechanisms and actions don't work properly.  The mission of the entire body is to stay alive...at all costs.

With that said, there is an optimal fuel source for the body: blood sugar.  Blood sugar is normally derived from carbohydrate intake or glycogen stored in the liver and muscles.  Blood sugar can, if necessary, also be derived from the breakdown of protein and fat.  But...in the course of a normal day, blood glucose is derived from carbohydrate in foods and glycogen release from the liver and muscle.

The human body runs on a 5 hour clock.  Not just while you are awake, but around the clock.  Under normal circumstances, the carbohydrate you ingest has a life span of about 5 hours.  If you don't replace carbs in a meal or snack after the 5 hour mark, the brain sends a signal to the liver to release glycogen stores.  So...your blood sugar will stay in the normal range either from the carb you ingest or self feeding by the liver.  Most people are not aware of the 5 hour clock and the fact that after 5 hours pass without eating, the liver will self feed (survival mechanism).  The liver does not release a miniscule amount of glycogen...this is a survival mechanism and it releases a hefty dose.

Keep in mind the following:  Over 55% of the population over-responds to a rise in blood sugar with an excess release of the fat gain hormone, insulin.  Normally, when blood sugar rises from carb or liver release, the pancreas releases the precise correct amount of insulin to transport the glucose to the muscles and stores excess blood sugar as fat. The circulating blood sugar is left in the normal range. 

But, if you are in the majority of people, your pancreas will over-respond to a rise in blood sugar with EXCESS fat gain hormone.  Instead of the correct amount of insulin, you open excess fat cells and overprocess blood sugar into fat. This leaves the sugar in your blood stream lower than normal and the sugar stored in your fat cells higher than normal.  (fat stores around the middle, belly fat, back fat, muffin top and high cholesterol/triglycerides).

This resultant lower than normal blood sugar causes the brain to signal for you to "find and eat more carb."  If you do eat carb to answer the brain's plea, the excess insulin release,  excess sugar stored as fat, and resultant low blood sugar happens again.

If you ignore the brain, the liver will automatically release glycogen that will cause blood sugar to rise, excess release of insulin, and also result in excess sugar stored as fat, lower than normal blood sugar, and more cravings.

Now...what does this have to do with breakfast being the most important meal?

If the last meal you eat begins at 6PM and you force yourself not to snack in an effort to lose weight....you don't realize it, but every 5 hours after 6PM ...until you eat again....your liver will self feed meal after meal and trigger excess insulin release and excess fat storage.  So, you eat dinner at 6PM, but you are also quietly fed at 11PM, 4AM, 9AM without even knowing it. 

If you skip breakfast and don't eat until 1PM, you have no idea that you actually ate 4 times in the past 24 hours from self feeding by the liver.   So...you are eating at 6:00 PM (dinner), 11:00 PM (liver), 4:00 AM (liver),  9:00AM (liver), 12:00 lunch, 5:00 liver, 6:00 dinner...and the cycle continues.

In this study, when they talk about 2 meals/day...they are  not taking into account the other side of the coin...if a person does not eat, the liver will step up to the plate, and the majority of people struggling with weight, diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol (those with metabolic syndrome) will forever be trapped in the cycle of obesity.

What does breakfast do?  It puts YOU in charge.  YOU can control what you eat at the meal instead of being at the survival mode mercy of the liver.  Then, make sure that no more than 5 hours pass during the day without eating.  If you ate like this:

8:00AM breakfast

1:00PM lunch

4:00PM snack

6:00PM dinner

11:00PM snack

3:00 AM snack

You would have 3 meals (all under your control) and 3 snacks (all under your control)
If you skipped breakfast and didn't snack (had lunch and dinner only), you would THINK you ate 2 meals, but you actually consumed 6 meals (4 of which were out of your control)
So there you have it.  For the majority of people struggling with weight, hypertension,  elevated cholesterol, blood sugar issues, the answer is NOT calories in – calories out.  The answer to weight loss and overall body health is in understanding the way your body (your Lamborghini) works and living in a way that matches the mechanics of your machine.

THE CLOCK


By leaving this one piece of information out of all weight loss diets, you are sure to lose/regain/lose/regain and keep the “weight loss industry” coffers filled to the brim.


The human body is a machine, a top of the line, expertly designed machine...like a Lamborghini.

When healthy, it works in a very precise and methodical way.  When the body is studied, it is possible to see the intricate connections between its systems.  Cells, organs, glands, hormones, enzymes, muscles, bones: all connected and backing each other up.  There are survival mechanisms that immediately activate when the top tier mechanisms and actions don't work properly.  The mission of the entire body is to stay alive...at all costs.
With that said, there is an optimal fuel source for the body: blood sugar.  Blood sugar is normally derived from carbohydrate intake or glycogen stored in the liver and muscles.  Blood sugar can, if necessary, also be derived from the breakdown of protein and fat.  But...in the course of a normal day, blood glucose is derived from carbohydrate in foods and glycogen release from the liver and muscle.

The human body runs on a 5 hour clock.  Not just while you are awake, but around the clock.  Under normal circumstances, the carbohydrate you ingest has a life span of about 5 hours.  If you don't replace carbs in a meal or snack after the 5 hour mark, the brain sends a signal to the liver to release glycogen stores.  So...your blood sugar will stay in the normal range either from the carb you ingest or self feeding by the liver.  Most people are not aware of the 5 hour clock and the fact that after 5 hours pass without eating, the liver will self feed (survival mechanism).  The liver does not release a miniscule amount of glycogen...this is a survival mechanism and it releases a hefty dose.

Keep in mind the following:  Over 55% of the population over-responds to a rise in blood sugar with an excess release of the fat gain hormone, insulin.  Normally, when blood sugar rises from carb or liver release, the pancreas releases the precise correct amount of insulin to transport the glucose to the muscles and stores excess blood sugar as fat. The circulating blood sugar is left in the normal range. 

But, if you are in the majority of people, your pancreas will over-respond to a rise in blood sugar with EXCESS fat gain hormone.  Instead of the correct amount of insulin, you open excess fat cells and overprocess blood sugar into fat. This leaves the sugar in your blood stream lower than normal and the sugar stored in your fat cells higher than normal.  (fat stores around the middle, belly fat, back fat, muffin top and high cholesterol/triglycerides).

This resultant lower than normal blood sugar causes the brain to signal for you to "find and eat more carb."  If you do eat carb to answer the brain's plea, the excess insulin release,  excess sugar stored as fat, and resultant low blood sugar happens again.



If you ignore the brain, the liver will automatically release glycogen that will cause blood sugar to rise, excess release of insulin, and also result in excess sugar stored as fat, lower than normal blood sugar, and more cravings.

Now...what does this have to do with breakfast being the most important meal?

If the last meal you eat begins at 6PM and you force yourself not to snack in an effort to lose weight....you don't realize it, but every 5 hours after 6PM ...until you eat again....your liver will self feed meal after meal and trigger excess insulin release and excess fat storage.  So, you eat dinner at 6PM, but you are also quietly fed at 11PM, 4AM, 9AM without even knowing it. 

If you skip breakfast and don't eat until 1PM, you have no idea that you actually ate 4 times in the past 24 hours from self feeding by the liver.   So...you are eating at 6:00 PM (dinner), 11:00 PM (liver), 4:00 AM (liver),  9:00AM (liver), 12:00 lunch, 5:00 liver, 6:00 dinner...and the cycle continues.

In this study, when they talk about 2 meals/day...they are  not taking into account the other side of the coin...if a person does not eat, the liver will step up to the plate, and the majority of people struggling with weight, diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol (those with metabolic syndrome) will forever be trapped in the cycle of obesity.

What does breakfast do?  It puts YOU in charge.  YOU can control what you eat at the meal instead of being at the survival mode mercy of the liver.  Then, make sure that no more than 5 hours pass during the day without eating.  If you ate like this:



8:00AM breakfast
1:00PM lunch
4:00PM snack
11:00PM snack
3:00 AM snack



You would have 3 meals (all under your control) and 3 snacks (all under your control)

If you skipped breakfast and didn't snack (had lunch and dinner only), you would THINK you ate 2 meals, but you actually consumed 6 meals (4 of which were out of your control)

So there you have it.  For the majority of people struggling with weight, hypertension,  elevated cholesterol, blood sugar issues, the answer is NOT calories in – calories out.  The answer to weight loss and overall body health is in understanding the way your body (your Lamborghini) works and living in a way that matches the mechanics of your machine.
Learn more at www.themetabolismmiracle.com.