Red yeast rice: A natural way to lower cholesterol?

Q: I have been on so many cholesterol-lowering drugs I have nearly lost count. Crestor, Lipitor, Zetia and Zocor all give me terrible pains in my shoulders, back and arms. I also have had dreadful muscle cramps in my calves, especially at night.

I don’t know how much longer I can stand taking Crestor. Is there any natural way to lower cholesterol? I want to stay healthy, but the pain interferes with my ability to exercise and has affected my quality of life.

A: Many readers have lowered their cholesterol with red yeast rice. Although readers who have written us about their experience with this dietary supplement rarely have troublesome side effects, some susceptible people do develop muscle pain or weakness while taking this product. If you decide to try it, your doctor should monitor your progress and your liver enzymes. Taking Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) might reduce the risk of muscle pain from statins and red yeast rice.

Q: You’ve heard from a lot of people with bad indigestion. One day, quite by accident, I forgot to buy milk. To my surprise, the next day the indigestion disappeared. I now use lactose-free milk and soy yogurt. I hope this helps others.

A: Many adults have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk. For them, lactose can cause bloating, cramping or diarrhea in addition to indigestion.

Q: I had severe leg pain during the night and day for about four months. My doctor did blood work and found that my vitamin D level was 8. She prescribed 50,000 IUs per week for 12 weeks, and now my leg pain is almost nonexistent.

A: Doctors are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of checking vitamin D levels. Lower than 20 nanograms per milliliter indicates deficiency. Some experts believe that optimal levels should be at least 30.

Replenishing vitamin D stores can reduce muscle pain. It also may lower the risk of such varied problems as depression, diabetes and heart disease.