Napiers Lowerol™ Red Rice Yeast Capsules

A herbal food supplement

Monacolin K naturally found in red rice yeast contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. 

Napiers Red Rice Yeast Capsules with CoQ10, Policosanol & Grape Seed Extract are a dietary supplement designed to be used, in conjunction with a low cholesterol diet, to help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels in your body. 

The maintenance of normal blood LDL cholesterol concentrations is especially important as you get older.

If your total and LDL cholesterol levels are too high, it can block your arteries, contributing to high blood pressure and problems with your heart, such as heart disease or stroke. High cholesterol has also been linked with diabetes.

• Strength: 500mg capsule. 

AVAILABLE AS
90 Capsule Jar. Not currently available to customers in the EU.

SUITABLE FOR
Vegetarians and vegans.

INGREDIENTS & NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Each 500 mg vegetarian (HPMC - Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose) capsule contains:
400 mg Red Rice Yeast extract
10 mg Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10)
10 mg Policosanol
80 mg Grape Seed extract 

Each capsule contains 1.6 mg of monacolin K.

Red Rice Yeast contains the yeast Monascus purpureus. Red Rice Yeast is a good source of Monacolin K. Monacolin K from red rice yeast contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.

CoEnzyme Q10 is a natural enzyme made by the body. It has been added to this product to prevent CoQ10 depletion while taking red rice yeast. This is important as many cheaper red rice yeast products do not contain CoQ10. Grape seed extract is high in antioxidants.

Red rice yeast also contains other monacolins, phytosterols and nutrients that have not been measured.

DIRECTIONS
Adults: Take 1 to 3 capsules per day, with food or a drink.

​We recommend that this food supplement is taken while also following a cholesterol-lowering diet. If LDL cholesterol is high, one capsule taken 3 times a day may be taken for a month and then reviewed, or as recommended by your nutrition adviser or healthcare practitioner.

The beneficial effect of Monacolin K from red yeast rice contributing to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol, is obtained with a minimum daily intake of 10 mg of monacolin K from fermented red yeast rice preparations.

CAUTIONS
Not all herbs are suitable in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for young children, or if you are unwell, have health concerns or an ongoing illness. If in doubt, please ask us, your medical herbalist or healthcare practitioner. If you are taking any medication, please speak to your healthcare practitioner before using this product. Discontinue use and consult a doctor if adverse reactions occur. This product should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or lifestyle. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding as there is not enough evidence as to whether red rice yeast can be used safely in pregnancy.

Do not take if you have liver disease or liver damage. Statin drugs can harm the liver and theoretically, (although no clinical evidence currently exists,) this could also be the case with monacolin K from red rice yeast.

IF YOU ARE TAKING STATIN DRUGS 
Monacolin K from Red Rice Yeast helps to lower your cholesterol. Drugs called statins also lower your cholesterol. If you take Red Rice Yeast at the same time as statins it could cause an additive effect. If you are already taking statins, or plan to start taking statins, please discuss this with your doctor, as the dose of statins may need to be reduced or ceased to avoid a cumulative effect.

St. John's Wort herb can lower serum levels of the statin drug lovastatin. As Red Rice Yeast contains monacolin K, from which lovastatin is derived, St. John's Wort may also reduce the effects of using of red yeast. Your medical herbalist can advise you further on this.

SIDE EFFECTS 
Common side effects of cholesterol lowering drugs include muscle weakness and fatigue (myalgia). Although many people use Red Rice Yeast as a food supplement to avoid these drug side effects, in a few people, large doses of Red Rice Yeast may have side effects. Side effects may also include stomach discomfort, heartburn, intestinal gas, and dizziness.

If you notice a side effect, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, medical herbalist or health professional.

One side effect that has also been found in statin drugs, is a slight depletion in CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10, ubiquitone) levels. Napiers Red Rice Yeast has added CoEnzyme Q10 to this product to ensure a healthy level in the body. 

Cheaper red rice yeast supplements may not contain CoQ10. In addition, some red rice yeast supplements, especially those originating in the USA, may have had monacolin K removed from them. Always read the label.

STORAGE
Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

PACKAGING
Jars: The plastic amber jar is made from recyclable amber PET. Recycling code: 01.

Lids: Mixed plastic. Recycling code: 07.

Box: The box is made from 80% recycled paper, natural and renewable FSC certified sources and is fully biodegradable and recyclable.

Box Sleeve with Adhesive Strip: 

MORE INFORMATION

Health Claims
Monacolin K from red rice yeast contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.

Red rice yeast should be taken in conjunction with a low cholesterol diet.

The authorised health claim is made on the basis of an intake of 10 mg of monacolin K per day. Six capsules provide a daily intake of 10 mg of monacolin K from red yeast rice, if the exact equivalent to monacolin K alone is required. 

However, red rice yeast also contains other monacolins and phytosterols which, along with your diet, will also influence your cholesterol intake. 

In our Napiers Clinics, we recommend a daily intake of 3 capsules a day when you are trying to bring cholesterol down. Once your cholesterol is lowered, one capsule a day can be taken as a daily maintenance supplement in conjunction with a low cholesterol diet.

Research
Red rice yeast has so much robust clinical evidence behind it supporting what we already know empirically^{1, 2, 3, 4} - that in the majority of cases it effectively lowers cholesterol and spares people the side effects of muscle pain and weakness. These are the side effects that a lot of people suffer from when they consult herbalists about changing over from statins.

Policosanol also has some rigorous clinical evidence behind it as well⁵. Like Red rice yeast, policosanol is also tolerated better than some statins, like for example atorvastsatin⁵. Unfortunately many people find it difficult to reduce cholesterol through diet alone and there is evidence that a red rice yeast/policosanol supplements like Lowerol will help to reduce cholesterol better than relying on diet changes alone⁶.

Safety is always of fundamental importance and history of tradition, although indicative, is not always 100% reliable so it is of significant importance that red rice yeast has shown to be safe in so many clinical trials⁷, even in children and the elderly⁸. Of course red rice yeast (Monascus purpureus) is found a lot in Chinese food such as Peking duck and some soy sauces⁹ but this is not commonly part of a Western diet, so it would be hard to monitor the amount consumed just from foods. Using a dietary supplement such as Lowerol means that people can ensure that an effective amount of plant stanols, sterols and other lipid-lowering natural phytochemicals are taken as part of their daily diet.

References

1. Cicero AF, Brancaleoni M, Laghi L, Donati F, Mino M. (2005) Antihyperlipidaemic effect of a Monascus purpureus brand dietary supplement on a large sample of subjects at low risk for cardiovascular disease: a pilot study. Complement Ther Med. 13(4), 273-8. PubMed PMID: 16338198.

2. Lin CC, Li TC, Lai MM. (2005) Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in  subjects with hyperlipidemia. Eur J Endocrinol. 153(5), 679-86. PubMed PMID: 16260426.

3. Feuerstein JS, Bjerke WS. (2012) Powdered red yeast rice and plant stanols and sterols to lower cholesterol. J Diet Suppl. 9(2),110-5. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2012.682645. PubMed PMID: 22531006.

4. Huang CF, Li TC, Lin CC, Liu CS, Shih HC, Lai MM. (2007) Efficacy of Monascus purpureus Went rice on lowering lipid ratios in hypercholesterolemic patients. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 14(3), 438-40. PubMed PMID: 17568245.

3. Castaño G, Más R, Fernández J, López E, Illnait J, Fernández L, Mesa M. (2003) Effects of policosanol on borderline to mildly elevated serum total cholesterol levels: a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, comparative study. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 64(8), 522-37. doi: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2003.09.002. PubMed PMID: 24944402

4. Castaño G, Arruzazabala ML, Fernández L, Mas R, Carbajal D, Molina V, Illnait  J, Mendoza S, Gámez R, Mesa M, Fernández J. (2006) Effects of combination treatment with policosanol and omega-3 fatty acids on platelet aggregation: A randomized, double-blind clinical study. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 67(3), 174-92. doi:  10.1016/j.curtheres.2006.06.004. PubMed PMID: 24678094.

5. Castaño G, Mas R, Fernández L, Illnait J, Mesa M, Alvarez E, Lezcay M. (2003) Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs Aging. 20(2), 153-63. PubMed PMID: 12534315.

6. Lombardo F, Lunghi R, Pallotti F, Palumbo A, Senofonte G, Cefaloni AC, Gandini L, Lenzi A. (2013) Effects of a dietary supplement on cholesterol in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Clin Ter. 164(3), e147-50. doi: 10.7417/CT.2013.1556. PubMed PMID: 23868627.

7. Gheith O, Sheashaa H, Abdelsalam M, Shoeir Z, Sobh M. (2008) Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in subjects with secondary hyperlipidemia. Clin Exp  Nephrol. 12(3), 189-94. doi: 10.1007/s10157-008-0033-x. PubMed PMID: 18363032.

8. Gheith O, Sheashaa H, Abdelsalam M, Shoeir Z, Sobh M. (2009) Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in children and young adults with secondary hyperlipidemia: a preliminary report. Eur J Intern Med. 20(3), e57-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2008.08.012. PubMed PMID: 19393480.

9. Chen ZY, Feng YZ, Cui C, Zhao HF, Zhao MM. (2014) Effects of koji-making with mixed strains on physicochemical and sensory properties of Chinese-type soy sauce. J Sci Food Agric. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6952. PubMed PMID: 25312834.