Thorne Red Yeast Rice + CoQ10 (formerly Choleast)

Red Yeast Rice + CoQ10 (formerly Choleast) helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and healthy lipid particle size and number. It includes CoQ10 for added antioxidant support.

Natural management of already normal cholesterol levels should involve dietary and lifestyle modifications, including a low-saturated fat, low-carbohydrate diet, and aerobic exercise. As additional supplementation, several nutrients and botanicals can be used to help maintain lipid metabolism and support the already normal cholesterol levels.

The cholesterol fraction that appears to be of most concern is LDL cholesterol, and, in particular, oxidized LDL. Antioxidant supplementation can be beneficial for decreasing the oxidation of LDL. Thorne Choleast contains Monascus purpureus, a red-pigmented yeast grown on rice. Numerous studies in China and the United States have demonstrated that red yeast rice preparations are helpful in maintaining blood cholesterol levels already in the normal range. This is important, as maintaining optimal cholesterol levels has been shown to be one component of maintaining cardiovascular health.

In addition to naturally occurring substances called monacolins, red yeast rice contains the phytosterols beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, as well as isoflavones and trace minerals, all of which can contribute to cardiovascular health.
The same enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis are also involved in the synthesis of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Thus, to help maintain normal levels of CoQ10, Choleast contains 15 mg CoQ10 per capsule.