Treatment of Red Yeast Rice For Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition affecting your bones characterized by low bone density and the development of porous bones that are brittle and weak. It increases your risk of bone fractures. Your bones break with ease when performing mundane tasks like lifting or bending. Symptoms include loss of height, back pain, and frequent bone fractures. Causes of osteoporosis include a decrease in bone cell production, low calcium and vitamin D levels, and decreased estrogens in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Red yeast rice can help alleviate some symptoms of osteoporosis.

What is Red Yeast Rice?

• In Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-to-Z Guide to Supplements, Phyllis A. Balch explains that red yeast rice is a special form of rice that is created by fermenting the rice in Monascus purpureus Went yeast, a form of red yeast. Red yeast rice is sometimes called Hung-chu or Hong-Qy. This rice is consumed to control digestive ailments, poor circulatory processes, and to lower cholesterol levels. In Dietary Supplements of Plant Origin: A Nutrition and Health Approach, Massimo Maffei explains that red yeast rice contains statins that promote bone formation and growth. Thus, consumption of red yeast rice proves beneficial for those suffering from osteoporosis by slowing bone deterioration and encouraging the replacement of bone formations.

Statins Benefits

• Statins in red yeast rice may control cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of low-density lipid proteins in your blood. The same statins that help control your cholesterol levels also encourage bone formation by increasing the amount of bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene in your bone cells. Your body needs bone morphogenetic proteins to create new bones and to help your existing bones heal. The protein gene plays a significant role in bone cell replenishment.

Red Yeast Rice Supplements

• Red yeast rice is available in capsule form. Take one 1,200-mg tablet one time daily to improve osteoporosis conditions, to promote bone healing and reparation, and to encourage bone cell growth. Do not consume red yeast rice if you want to become pregnant, or if you are already pregnant. People under age 20 should not use red yeast rice supplements since your body's bone production is not hindered. Avoid red yeast rice if you consume more than two alcoholic beverages a day. If you have liver disease, do not use this supplement; red yeast rice hinders enzyme productions in your liver.

  Possible side effects of red yeast rice include joint pain, soreness, and flu-like symptoms; if you note side effects, cease using the supplement. You may also experience abdominal discomfort or headache onset. Use caution when using red yeast rice supplements if you have a bleeding disorder, or if you are using anticoagulants; this supplement can increase issues with bleeding.