Red Yeast Rice Pregnancy

Red Yeast Rice is a very popular supplement that is used to treat and control cholesterol. It has been proven to be very effective and that is what has added to its popularity. It should be noted that red yeast rice is not for everyone, especially women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. The supplement contains specific compounds that can be extremely dangerous to an unborn baby.

Why is Red Yeast Rice Dangerous to Pregnant Mothers?

Red yeast rice supplements often contain a statin, which is produced naturally when the rice ferments. Statin’s are found in cholesterol medications like lovastatin.

As it stands, Lovastatin falls into the category X as it relates to medications and pregnancy. Women are advised to stay away from medications that fall into Category X. The X rating came about based on the fact that in tests conducted using these medications often resulted in birth defects and other problems during pregnancy.

Not all red yeast rice supplements contain lovastatin as this only occurs when the rice is fermented using a specific strain of yeast. Some red yeast rice contains no lovastatin at all. The ones that do is a result of a controlled process that allows the yeast to ferment to allow the rice to have lovastatin levels that are high.

Even though there are red yeast rice supplements that do not contain lovastatin, it is not known if it is safe for pregnant women. The reason behind this is based on the fact that red yeast rice with lovastatin is not approved by the FDA. Most companies who manufacture these products might include the statins in their supplements, but they might not indicate this on their labels.

Pregnant women who are considering taking this supplement should consult with their doctor. The doctor will be able to offer advice as it relates to the different risks that are possible from taking this particular product.

Red Yeast Rice and Breastfeeding

red-yeast-rice-breastfeeding

When it comes to lowering cholesterol, red yeast rice is an extremely effective and popular supplement that is used to lower and control cholesterol. Due to its effectiveness, the supplement has grown in popularity. Even though it is a natural supplement, red yeast rice should not be taken by everyone. This is especially true for women who are pregnant, have plans to become pregnant or those who are breastfeeding. The main reason behind this is that red yeast rice contains certain compounds that can be very dangerous to unborn babies and it can also be transferred to babies who breastfeed.

Why is Red Yeast Rice Dangerous to Breastfeeding Mothers?

The Red yeast rice supplements usually contain a statin (found in many cholesterol lowering medications), which occurs naturally when rice ferments.

Some red yeast rice supplements contain lovastatin (Mevacor), a prescription “statin” cholesterol medication. The Lovastatin that is found in the supplement occurs naturally and it is not added to the supplements. Due to FDA regulations, most of the red yeast rice supplements found in the United States contains little to no lovastatin. Red yeast rice is created by fermenting rice using a specific type of yeast. If the fermentation is done correctly and controlled properly, what can happen is that you can end up with a product that has high levels of lovastatin.

Lovastatin, Red Yeast Rice, and Breastfeeding

Lovastatin is not recommended to be used with women who breastfeed. Even though there have been no studies conducted to find out if lovastatin passes through the breast milk of humans, it has been shown to be passed through the breast milk in rats. Based on those findings, it is not recommended to mothers who breastfeed should not take products that contain lovastatin.

Speak to your Doctor About Breastfeeding and Red Yeast Rice

Mothers who have any concerns about breast feeding and red yeast rice should speak to a doctor. A doctor is the best person to speak with as it relates to woman’s situation. The doctor will determine how necessary it is to take this supplement based on the individual’s health and other situations. Once the doctor has the information he/she needs, they can make a decision as it relates to red yeast rice and breastfeeding. In most situations, many doctors will not recommend red yeast rice supplements for women who are breastfeeding.

Nature’s Plus Red Yeast Rice Supplement

natures-plus-red-yeast-rice

The Nature’s Plus Red Yeast Rice 600 mg Supplement are tablets that can be taken to help reduce high cholesterol levels.

Red Yeast Rice is an ancient natural supplement that has been used for centuries in China to treat a wide range of chronic illnesses. Recently it was discovered that red yeast rice contained the same statins that were used in the treatment to reduce cholesterol levels. Many people claim that it works and it is a natural supplement to help lower high cholesterol levels.

The Nature’s Plus Herbal Actives Red Yeast Rice extract is a supplement that has many different benefits.  The tablets will provide results quickly and this can be attributed to the extended-release system.  This system allows for the body to receive a great concentration of active botanical principles.

  • Serving Size – 1 tablet
  • Does Not Contain: Artificial colors, preservatives, common allergens wheat, corn, soy and milk.

Nature’s Plus Red Yeast Rice Supplement Review

Robert –

I had high cholesterol somewhere in the high 240’s. I changed my diet and started eating more healthily as well as exercising. This was good at reducing the cholesterol levels down to 200-205. I had heard about this natural supplement called red yeast rice that had been used to treat people with high cholesterol. I decided to try it out, without deviating from my diet and exercise plan.  This worked really well as my cholesterol levels fell to 170. This was extremely impressive and I have been sold on these supplements ever since. Taking one tablet a day worked out really well in keeping my cholesterol at a low level.