Contains Monacolin K, which has a chemical structure identical to one of the statins on the market: it leads to a reduction of about 30% of LDL cholesterol
In the presence of “border line” and LDL total cholesterol values above 100 mg (in addition to familiarity), should statins be taken or is it enough to take a supplement based on fermented red rice?
He answers Pietro PalermoHead of Cardiology Rehabilitation, Monzino Cardiology Center, Milan (WRITE TO THE FORUM)
Scientific evidence documents a clear link between cholesterol bound to low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and cardiovascular risk (myocardial infarction or stroke) so as to report “the lower the better”. In light of this, LDL-C has become a crucial therapeutic target in the management of cardiovascular disease. The recent guidelines help clinicians in the therapeutic approach and new targets of LDL cholesterol values have been proposed in the different categories, calculated according to the presence of risk factors. It is understood that the first approach in the crucial objective of the reduction of danger factors is encourage adequate lifestyles, including proper nutrition and physical activity. The main negative elements for cardiovascular diseases are certainly known: cigarette smoking, arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and family history of cardiovascular diseases.
Risk assessment
For apparently healthy subjects it exists a risk assessment system (score) for 10-year fatal cardiovascular events, which takes into account the value of systolic blood pressure, the value of total cholesterol and smoking habits (separate tables for men and women). On the other hand, subjects with a history of already documented cardiovascular disease, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, diabetics, those with multiple risk factors and those with chronic renal failure are considered to be at high or very high risk. The recommended LDL cholesterol value in these patients is less than 70 mg / dl (high risk) and less than 55 mg / dl (very high risk), respectively.. Fortunately, today we have a vast and renewed pharmacological armamentarium that is effective in achieving the goal of reducing LDL cholesterol. The approach aimed at reaching the target must be gradual but rapid and verified. In his case, with few risk factors but with familiarity and with a moderate-high risk in primary prevention, LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg / dl (70 mg / dl).
The fermented red rice
Fermented red rice contains the Monacolina K which has a chemical structure identical to the Lovastatina (one of the statins on the market). Generally, the use of fermented red rice is recommended for those who are intolerant to statins, but in your case it may be enough to make them reach the target of 70 mg / dl since in general, the use of fermented red rice leads to a reduction of about 30% of LDL cholesterol. Therefore in conclusion, answering his question, I believe that he can safely start using fermented red rice and re-evaluate LDL cholesterol values after about 8 weeks. Better red rice or statin? Keep in mind that even fermented red rice, precisely because it contains Monacolins with the same chemical structure as statins, could in theory lead to similar side effects such as myalgia, gastric and hepatic disorders. If that is not enough, then the next step and the use of a low dose statin combined with ezetimibe could be moved on.
February 26, 2022 (change February 26, 2022 | 19:13)
© Time.News