Author: ALENKA BROZINA, M.D, SPECIJALIST INTERNE MEDICINE, SUBSPECIJALIST KARDIOLOG,SAVJETNIK U DIJETOTERAPIJI I NUTRICIONIZMU

If you are looking for a natural remedy to lower blood cholesterol, Dr. Alenka Brozina has a solution – red yeast rice extract.

Cardiovascular diseases are at the top of the mortality pyramid, and to keep our heart and circulatory system healthy, it is recommended to follow a few “simple” measures: engage in some form of physical exercise daily, regulate your body weight, quit using tobacco products, reduce daily stress levels, and pay attention to your diet. However, the greatest threat to the heart and circulatory system is so-called blood fats.

When we talk about blood fats, we mean cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is often divided into “good” cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol – LDL cholesterol. Since LDL cholesterol is the primary culprit for the development of cardiovascular diseases, the European Society of Cardiology, in its new guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia (“elevated blood fats”), recommends maintaining targeted LDL cholesterol levels below 1,4 mmol/L.

Caution with Treatment

Low cholesterol levels can be maintained by modifying dietary therapy, i.e., being careful about what you eat, but in some cases, this is almost impossible. To reduce elevated cholesterol levels in the blood, medications known as statins are prescribed. However, in my practice, I often receive inquiries from patients looking for a natural remedy to lower blood fats..  I would first like to clarify some of the concerns related to treating elevated blood fats:

• Never independently choose a specific medication/supplement to lower elevated blood fats. Always consult with your primary care physician or cardiologist.
• People who have had cardiovascular incidents, such as a myocardial infarction or are being treated for angina pectoris, must use only the therapy prescribed by their cardiologist.

Natural Remedy for Cholesterol – Red Yeast Rice Extract

When it comes to naturally lowering elevated blood cholesterol, I have heard of many formulations, but the one that has proven to be most effective in practice is supplementation with monacolin K, which is derived from fermented red yeast rice. Today, there are many versions of red yeast rice extract on the market, but in working with my patients, I have the best experiences with the product Choleo ResQ’PRO from the Croatian brand Hug Your Life. Why Do I Prefer This Product? I favor this product because of its composition. In addition to fermented red yeast rice extract with a minimum of 5% monacolin, it also contains resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, and a dry extract of olive fruit. Furthermore, it is enriched with vitamins E, D3, B1, B6, and B12. Specifically, vitamins B1, B6, and B12 contribute to lowering homocysteine levels, and thereby also have a positive effect on “bad” LDL cholesterol. Thus, besides containing red yeast rice extract, the product also includes olive fruit extract standardized to 5% hydroxytyrosol. The importance of hydroxytyrosol in protecting low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and its consequent implication in reducing cardiovascular disease risk has been highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA concluded that it is desirable to consume 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives daily to achieve this effect at the physiological level.

Choleo ResQ’PRO – A Vegetarian Gluten-Free Supplement

In addition to the aforementioned ingredients, it is important to mention coenzyme Q10, which, through its beneficial effects—primarily as an antioxidant—helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels and has a favorable impact on elevated blood pressure. For added synergy and improved bioavailability, Choleo ResQ’PRO includes the patented form of black pepper extract, BioPerine. In Addition to the Composition of This Product what delights me greatly is the fact that this product is gluten-free, meaning that no ingredients containing gluten have been used, which is extremely important for people with celiac disease and those who need to avoid gluten. Furthermore, the product is labeled as vegetarian and is manufactured in Croatia, which is also a significant advantage. Therefore, if you have decided to use a natural cholesterol supplement that features red yeast rice extract, and are adhering to a proper diet and regular exercise, my warm recommendation is to take one capsule daily of Choleo ResQ’PRO.