Rice fermented with red yeast Monascus pupureus contains monacolin compounds, one of which is monacolin K, which has the same chemical structure as the cholesterol-lowering drug Lovastatin Mevacor. Studies by Chinese researchers have shown that Chinese red yeast produces or lowers cholesterol and the drug lovastatin.
Since cholesterol is needed to produce reproductive hormones that stimulate the development of certain types of cancer, the researchers focused their attention on discovering the possibility that rice grown on red yeast also has some anticancer properties. A study published this year found that it activates colon cancer death. The same research team focused its research on whether it has a similar effect on cancer cells. Prostate cancer is not a hormone-type androgen-independent type of cancer.
In the early stages of development, prostate cancer is androgen-dependent and needs male hormones to grow. This early form of cancer is usually treated with hormone therapy to reduce and eliminate androgens. However, after successful treatment, androgen-independent prostate cancer is common. These androgen-independent tumors are more difficult to treat, and over time they metastasize and lead to death.
A team of scientists compared both the drug lovastatin and its effect on androgen-dependent and androgen-independent tumors. Lovastatin reduced the growth of androgen-dependent prostate cancer by 20% and androgen-independent by 15%. The same dose of red yeast-grown rice or rice inhibited androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells by 47% while androgen-independent as much as 62%. When the treatment is extended for several days, this preparation destroys 77% of prostate cancer cells.
In addition to lowering cholesterol, this reduces the production of androgens and reduces prostate cancer cells’ development. This can stop the growth of prostate cancer cells and help the early stages of androgen-dependent prostate cancer turn into an independent form. Using this form of rice reduces the mortality of people with prostate cancer.
This preparation has shown great success in increasing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels. Combined with someone proteolytic enzymes like nattokinase and serrapeptase, it lowers the level and successfully cleanses the entire cardiovascular system. This is another in a series of natural preparations that has multiple purposes and can help people with cardiovascular problems and people suffering from cancer. Tests of this preparation on other types of cancer are in progress.
