Chinese red yeast rice prevents heart attack

Chinese red yeast rice, a common ingredient in Chinese food, may prevent a repeat heart attack.

In a newly published study in The American Journal of Cardiology, nearly 5,000 men and women with recent history of heart attack either took 600 milligrams per day of a yeast rice extract or a placebo. Over five years, extract-takers reduced their risk of a coronary event by 45 percent, and risk of death and need for an operation to improve blood supply to the heart was reduced by about one-third.

Purchasing red yeast rice extract over the counter is not the answer here -- the study's senior author stated these findings do not apply to the red yeast extract sold in health food stores. Who knows, maybe they'll bottle this stuff for retail sale in the future.