In school, I was taught that drugs are developed by isolating the active ingredient in a plant making the drug more potent and effective than the plant itself.
The "oyster mushroom", a culinary mushroom, naturally contains up to 2.8% lovastatin (the active ingredient in some cholesterol medications) on a dry weight basis
However, this is not the case.
There are many clinical studies that show the effectiveness of plant extracts.
Many times, pharmaceutical companies study nature and research how to synthesize the compound that produces the results.
Today I will focus on Statin-class drugs often prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.
Statins are naturally occurring compounds that can be found in red yeast rice and oyster mushrooms.
However, non pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to sell or manufacture red yeast rice supplements.
The Food and Drug Administration will take a supplement off the market if it conflicts with a Pharmaceutical Drug even if there are no reported incidents after years of distribution.
Could money be a factor?
Lipitor, the top selling pharmaceutical, costs $3.00 a day.
Lipitor, the top selling pharmaceutical, costs $3.00 a day.
In 2003, Lipitor (the trade name of atorvastatin) became the top selling pharmaceutical.
In 2008, Pfizer had over $12.8 Billion dollars in sales of Lipitor. It is used to treat cholesterol problems.
It is harmful for fetal development and people who have liver disease.
Some side effects include abdominal pain, insomnia, rash, bronchitis, and urinary tract infection
It is fully synthetic. It offers minimal advantages to previously prescribed statin drugs (some of which were partially natural) and naturally occurring compounds.
Cholestin, Natural Supplement with 34 Clinical Studies, is Banned
In 1998, the Original Formula of Cholestin is banned in the United States reversing a decision that allowed it to be sold in the US.
Cholestin is made from rice treated with a red yeast called Monascus purpurus. When the yeast ferments in about two weeks, the rice is milled into a powder and put in a capsule. Lovastatin is one of the naturally occurring active ingredients.
What fascinates me the most about Cholestin is that it has 34 independent clinical studies. Thirty Four.
Cholestin was said to be chemically similar to the drug Mevacor
There are many testimonies on this product worldwide.
Years after banning Cholestin, more companies pulled red yeast rice supplements such as Hypocol off the US market.
In 2007, the FDA issued a statement to go as far as to say red yeast rice are dangerous citing no specific incident.
It was noted that Cholestin and other red yeast supplements are no longer classified as food because
the amounts of lovastatin (from the fermentation process) found in supplements are higher than typical red yeast rice used in food.
Interesting to note, Oyster mushrooms are sold in various grocery stores in the US
contain a high amount of lovastatin naturally.
Natural Medicine practitioners believe the following:
Red yeast rice in its natural state consists of 14 monacolin compounds such as monacolin K, a natural lovastatin. From a holistic point-of-view these other monacolins, along with its naturally occurring fatty acids, anti-oxidants and other nutrients, work together to enhance its cholesterol-balancing and other health enhancing benefits without producing negative side effects. -Max Wardlow
Conclusion
The FDA is making it hard to find red yeast supplements.
They have large corporations at their best interest and portray themselves as the protector of the people.
I find it hard to believe that red yeast rice is any more dangerous for your body than alcoholic beverages you find in grocery stores.
If safety was truly a concern, the FDA would allow Cholestin to be prescribed and regulated by the medical professionals in the United States saving Americans millions of dollars each year.
Red Yeast Rice Supplements cost a fraction of Lipitor.
The Future of Natural Medicine?
Herbal remedy are often dismissed by the public as unfounded folk remedy or snake oil.
Essential Oils are currently being studied by scientist all over the world. There are thousands of compounds found in essential oils that have the potential of helping millions of people.
Nowadays, companies tackle these misconception with research and clinical studies.
This may jeopardize the status of the supplement reclassifying it as a drug.
Therefore, we have to be careful not to make medical claims with natural remedies.
Essential oils are classified as a food and not drugs, and this allows for mass distribution.
Hopefully, we will continue to have access to plants for medicinal purposes as we had for the past thousands of years.
Essential oils are one type of natural medicine that are made out of compounds naturally found in plants. Nothing is added. Nothing is taken away. They use very conventional methods of obtaining essential oils that do not increase the content of medicinal compounds already found in nature.
We must also understand that healthy lifestyle and good eating habits are vital for preventing disease.
