The ‘reddish-purple’ powder that provokes a ‘significant’ reduction in bad cholesterol

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Fortunately, many people can lower their cholesterol by eating healthily, and making lifestyle changes. Moreover, there may be some supplements which can help. It is, however, always recommended that you discuss with your doctor any concerns you have about cholesterol levels, and discuss with them if supplements are the best option.

The Cleveland Clinic says: “Adding red yeast rice extract to your diet can help lower your cholesterol levels, which reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart attack.”

It explains: “Red yeast rice extract naturally contains lovastatin, which keeps the body from making cholesterol”, though “the amount of lovastatin in the extract is much lower than the amount in the prescription drug.”

Holland & Barrett says red yeast rice extract (RYRE), which is a “reddish-purple powder made from white rice fermented with a yeast called Monascus purpureus”, may help reduce bad cholesterol levels.

The organisation explains: “RYRE contains a substance called monacolin K, which could help maintain normal cholesterol levels by blocking an enzyme that helps cholesterol to form.”

It notes that several studies show that RYRE could help maintain normal cholesterol levels, with some showing a “significant” reduction in bad levels.

The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Care (NCCIC) explains that in clinical trials of red yeast rice products it was found that they “lowered blood levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol”.

It adds: “It is important to emphasise that all of these clinical trials used products that contained substantial amounts of monacolin K.

“A 2011 analysis showed that some of the red yeast rice products on the market contain very little monacolin K. These products may have little or no effect on blood cholesterol levels.”

Changing what you eat, being more active, and stopping smoking can help get your cholesterol back to a healthy level.

The NHS says: “To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat.

“You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat.”

Indeed, the British Dietetic Association has outlined “a few small changes to your diet” which it says “can make a big difference to your cholesterol level”.

The NHS outlines a number of other lifestyle changes you may be able to make to lower your cholesterol.

A key one is to cut down on alcohol. You should try to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week, and avoid binge drinking. You can ask your GP for help if you are struggling to cut down.

You might need medicine to lower your cholesterol if your cholesterol level has not gone down after changing your diet and lifestyle.

You may also need medicine if you’re at a high risk of having a heart attack or stroke, according to the NHS.

Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol, according to the health service. Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body makes.

It is thought that more than seven million Britons take statins.

You may need to take statins if you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, in order to reduce your risk of another cardiac event.

You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks.

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