Chinese Rice Brings Hope to Heart Attack victims at He's Fit

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Chinese Rice Brings Hope to Heart Attack victims

Posted June 27, 2008 at 01:30 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: In The News, His Health, Physical Health, His Nutrition, Healthy Eating

Chinese food is not only delicious, it is also good for the heart. Researchers recently found that red yeast rice, common in Chinese food, reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks in people who have already suffered from one.

According to Nicholas Bakalar of the New York Times, “The Chinese study, published on June 15 in The American Journal of Cardiology, tested 4,870 men and women who had had heart attacks within five years.

They were randomly assigned to take 600 milligrams a day of yeast rice extract or a placebo.” After five years, those who took the active ingredient have reduced their risk of heart problems by nearly half. The risks of death or needing an operation on the heart were reduced by a third. Researchers limit these discoveries only to the rice, not the red yeast extract sold in stores.

Next time you order Chinese takeout, substitute white or fried rice with red yeast rice instead. Even if you have never had a heart attack before, it may be possible to prevent heart problems by eating red yeast rice. Although these findings do bring good news to people who are recovering from a heart attack or other type of coronary disease, people should not solely rely on red yeast rice to fix their heart problems. Eating the rice with a greasy main course will only defeat the purpose of ordering a healthier side dish in the first place.

Try eating the red rice with steamed vegetables and lean meat or seafood. Eating healthy everyday is the best thing you can to do prevent heart disease.