Cardiologists` Study Shows Red Yeast Rice Cuts Cholesterol

New research by David Becker, M.D. and Ram Gordon, M.D., published in Annals of
Internal Medicine, may provide alternative treatment option for
statin-intolerant patients
PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
New research from two Philadelphia-area cardiologists finds that an
over-the-counter dietary supplement sold at pharmacies and health food stores
may be an alternative for patients who cannot take traditional statin
medications to lower cholesterol because of statin-related muscle pain. The
findings of their study, "Red Yeast Rice for Dyslipidemia in Statin-Intolerant
Patients," appear in the June 16, 2009 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Cardiologists David Becker, M.D., and Ram Gordon, M.D., Chestnut Hill
Cardiology, studied 62 patients with high cholesterol in the first randomized,
double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to evaluate red yeast rice in patients
with a history of statin-associated myalgias (side effects that include muscle
pain and weakness). Thirty-one of the patients took three 600-mg capsules of red
yeast rice twice per day over the course of six months, and the other half
received identical placebo tablets. The red yeast rice patients also
participated in weekly meetings for the first three months, where they were
taught about heart disease and how to incorporate heart-healthy nutrition,
exercise and stress management into their lives.

At the conclusion of the study, the research found:

* Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (also known as "bad cholesterol") levels
decreased more in the patients receiving the red yeast rice (average decrease,
35 mg/dL) than in patients receiving the placebo (average decrease, 15 mg/dL).
* Total cholesterol levels improved more in the red yeast rice group than in the
placebo group.
* Muscle pain scores, weight loss, HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or
"good cholesterol") and liver or muscle enzyme levels did not differ between the
two groups.

Red Yeast Rice, a staple of Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years, is
derived from a fungus that grows on rice. A series of compounds within the red
yeast rice have been found to slow the production of cholesterol in the liver.
The medical community, however, has been slow to consider its potential use as
an alternative treatment therapy for patients with statin-associated myalgias
because the supplement is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

"Every physician has patients who refuse to take statins or have significant
side effects from them," says Dr. Becker. "One of the largest challenges in the
medical community has been that there is no agreement or consensus on how to
treat these patients. We are convinced that our research may lead to some
answers."

Dr. Gordon remarked, "Statins have revolutionized the way doctors have taken
care of cardiac patients over the past two decades. But for patients that cannot
tolerate them, the side effects are considerable." Some studies have estimated
that up to 15% of patients taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs have to stop
because of muscle pain. According to IMS Health, a drug tracking company, more
than 200 million statin prescriptions were filled in 2008.

Dr. Gordon added, "While red yeast rice isn`t appropriate for everyone, the goal
of our research was to see if it has potential to be an option for those
patients who discontinue their statins because of the side effects. Often these
patients with high cholesterol are left without lipid-lowering therapy. This is
especially worrisome if the patient has a history of heart attacks, stents,
bypass surgery or strokes."

Dr. Becker and Dr. Gordon are in private practice at Chestnut Hill Cardiology in
Flourtown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia and are on the staff of
Chestnut Hill Hospital and Abington Memorial Hospital. They also conduct an
innovative cardiac prevention program called "Change of Heart," which was
developed by Dr. Becker in 1993. The 10-week program takes a holistic approach
to cardiac wellness, utilizing diet, exercise, stress management and traditional
and alternative treatment therapies to help people reduce and even reverse the
effects of coronary artery disease.

Dr. Becker said, "Our present medical system places very little emphasis on
educating patients. We employ a team approach. Patients work closely with
dietitians, fitness experts and stress management counselors, and we provide the
physician perspective to help them evaluate and consider traditional treatment
and alternative therapies. We passionately believe that patients need to take
control of their cardiac destiny."

"Aside from its findings, this study is unique because it is truly rooted in our
community rather than the commercial interests of pharmaceutical companies,"
says Brooks Turkel, CEO of Chestnut Hill Hospital. "The premise of the research
was established because local patients inquired about alternatives to
cholesterol lowering drugs and the potential undesirable side effects. Our
cardiologists, motivated to provide their patients with alternatives, developed
a life-style modification program, Change of Heart, which has served as a
springboard for further research involving natural supplements. We at Chestnut
Hill Hospital are very proud that the research by Drs. Becker, Gordon and their
team has gained the recognition of the national medical community."

"Chestnut Hill Hospital has received funding for this study through a grant from
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," notes Mr. Turkel. "We are grateful that our
state representatives saw the value of the Change of Heart program."

Note to editors/reporters: To interview Dr. Becker or Dr. Gordon or to get more
information on their published study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, please
contact Jeff Oddo at (609) 321-2807 or send an e-mail to
jeff@healthychangeofheart.com.

About Change of Heart

Launched in 1993, Change of Heart is a holistic cardiac wellness program
developed by Philadelphia-area cardiologist Dr. David Becker. Under the
supervision of Dr. Becker and colleague Dr. Ram Gordon, the 10-week program uses
a team of medical and wellness experts to help patients make important lifestyle
modifications to reduce and reverse the effects of coronary artery disease.

Utilizing traditional medical treatment and alternative treatment therapies, the
Change of Heart program has helped thousands of patients reduce the risks
associated with heart disease and improve their cardiac wellness. For more
information on the Change of Heart program and the research of Dr. Becker and
Dr. Gordon into alternative therapies for preventative cardiac treatment, visit
www.healthychangeofheart.com.

Audio Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5993100&lang=en

For David Becker, M.D. and Ram Gordon, M.D.:
Jeff Oddo, 609-321-2807
Jeff@healthychangeofheart.com

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