Thanks to modern medicine, many heart attack survivors are able to resume normal, active lives. Findings from a recent study suggest that an ancient Chinese remedy, known as red yeast rice, can significantly reduce the risk of future cardiovascular complications — and even death — among heart attack survivors.

The results of a five-year clinical trial revealed that a partially purified extract of Chinese red yeast rice reduced the risk of having a second heart attack by 45 percent. Men and women taking the dietary supplement had a 30 percent lower risk of cardiac death compared to those receiving placebo pills.

The study involved nearly 5,000 patients in more than 60 hospitals in the People's Republic of China. The results of the research appear in the June 15 edition of the American Journal of Cardiology.

The research team, led by Dr. Daniel Capuzzi of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, reported that the benefits of red yeast rice appeared to exceed those of statin medications, the drugs most commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. Researchers also noted that supplementation with red yeast rice appeared to cause a dramatic drop in the number of cancer deaths among the patients involved in the study.

Red yeast rice has been used in China for thousands of years as an important medicinal tonic. It has also served as a natural food preservative, seasoning and dye — it's the ingredient that gives Peking duck and other Chinese dishes their vibrant red color.

Red yeast rice is made by fermenting a specific type of yeast, called monascus purpureus, over red rice. Laboratory studies reveal that the yeast effectively blocks the actions of a cholesterol-producing enzyme in the human body.

The natural agent in red yeast rice responsible for this effect is believed to be monacolin K. As it turns out, monacolin K is chemically identical to the cholesterol-lowering compound found in the prescription drug Mevacor (lovastatin) and is strikingly similar to the active ingredients in other cholesterol-lowering medications, including Lipitor and Zocor.

While dietary supplements containing red yeast rice typically contain lower concentrations of the active ingredient than prescription drugs, the results of numerous studies attest to their effectiveness. In a clinical trial involving approximately 900 volunteers with moderately elevated cholesterol levels, researchers found that treatment with red yeast rice preparations consistently lowered total cholesterol levels by an average of 10 percent to 30 percent.

Subjects treated with the natural supplement also experienced a 10 percent to 20 percent reduction in the "bad" type of cholesterol known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), as well as a 15 percent to 25 percent reduction in triglyceride levels. Levels of heart-healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL) rose by an average of 7 percent to 15 percent.

Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated by most folks: mild headache and minor abdominal discomfort are the most commonly reported side effects. Although the long-term safety of red yeast rice has not been specifically tested, the substance has been consumed as a dietary staple in Asian countries for centuries with no apparent toxicity.

Scientists attribute the safety of red yeast rice products to the preparation process, which does not involve the isolation and concentration of a single ingredient. Ease of preparation also influences cost: Most red yeast rice products are far less expensive than prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Dietary supplements containing red yeast rice are available over the counter at many health food stores. For healthy adults with moderately elevated cholesterol levels, most manufacturers recommend a dose of 600 milligrams of concentrated red yeast rice powder twice daily.

The supplement isn't recommended for use in children or in women who are pregnant or nursing. Likewise, it should be considered off limits for individuals with liver disease and for those who regularly drink more than two alcoholic beverages a day.

For folks who are already taking cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs, there doesn't seem to be any benefit to adding red yeast rice to the mix. Doing so could increase the risk of experiencing unwelcome side effects.

Virtually everyone with high cholesterol can benefit by making a few lifestyle changes. Losing excess weight, eating a low-fat diet and getting plenty of physical activity are important first steps.

If you're considering taking red yeast rice to lower your cholesterol levels or to protect your heart, it's wise to talk it over with your doctor first. Together, you can decide if this natural remedy is right for you.

Rallie McAllister is a board-certified family physician, speaker and the author of several books, including "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her website is www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.

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