TUESDAY July 8, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Results of a small trial show that taking fish oil and red yeast rice can effectively lower bad cholesterol in the blood and triglycerides, proving that the alternative therapy may be a safe replacement for statins.

Statins, which cause adverse effects in many patients, are the standard treatment used in the Western medicine to lower cholesterol in hopes to reduce the risk of heart disease.  

Although this class of drugs is effective in lowering cholesterol, the protection against heart disease is largely only for those who have existing heart conditions.   The benefit for those who do not have a current heart condition is nearly non-existent.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and other organizations wanted to know if fish oil/red yeast rice could be used to treat high blood cholesterol. If effective, they may be used by those who have high cholesterol, but do not have existing cardiovascular disease.

In the trial of 74 patients with high blood cholesterol who met standard criteria for statin therapy, the researchers assigned randomly either a supplement of fish oil/ red yeast rice or Zocor (simvastatin) at a dose of 40 milligrams (mg) each day for three months.

The participants in the fish oil/red yeast rice group were enrolled in a 12-week multidisciplinary lifestyle program that involved 3.5 hours education each week from professionals including a cardiologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist and several alternative practitioners.

Fish oil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and protect against heart disease. Red yeast rice, commonly used in some Asian countries to brew rice wine, has also been known to have several compounds known to inhibit cholesterol production.

Those who were treated with fish oil and red yeast experienced a significant drop in LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol or the bad cholesterol, 42.4 percent compared to 39.6 percent in the statins group, the researchers found.

Participants receiving the alternative therapy also experienced other benefits and they had a substantial reduction in triglycerides, another form of fat in the blood and lost weight.

The results were published in the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

"Our study was designed to test a comprehensive and holistic approach to lipid lowering," notes the study's lead author, David Becker, M.D., a Chestnut Hill Hospital and University of Pennsylvania Health System cardiologist.

"These results are intriguing and show a potential benefit of an alternative, or naturopathic, approach to a common medical condition."

The trial is small and only for a short term.   Dr. Becker acknowledges that a larger, multicenter trial with longer follow-up is necessary to determine long-term compliance with the alternative regimen.

Early studies show many patients were unable or unwilling to follow lifestyle recommendations for a long term, according to Dr. Becker.

"The excellent adherence in the alternative group was undoubtedly related to the intensive follow-up, education and support provided for this group," said Dr. Becker.