Adjusting the Supplements

_Whoa! Time to rethink my supplements or something! The abdominal cramping, joint aches, muscle pain, and diarrhea must stop! Is it a supplement or the flu? Is my stress level so high that I’m falling apart? My mind is racing ... so many options ... so many variables ... so many things to consider. My cholesterol is very close to acceptable numbers, my IBS is under control save a diverticulitis attack every now and then ... so what gives? Where do I begin? Diet? Exercise? Supplements? Stress?

I decided to start with the last thing I changed or added. Red yeast rice. I immediately stopped taking red yeast rice and within 48 hours the terrible abdominal cramping stopped, as did the muscle aches and pains and joint pain. No more diarrhea. The Internet provided contradictory information - not unusual considering the vast number of people who add information  - many of whom are looking primarily to padding their own pocket. I reminded myself to tread lightly yet deeply.

I read that red yeast rice was an excellent way to reduce bad cholesterol and honestly, taking it as directed, I had marvelous luck reducing my bad cholesterol. Now, it’s easy to blame the red yeast since I’ve never had a reaction to niacin and nothing else really changed in my daily habits save my new exercise routine, but why after more than a month? Why all of a sudden? Sadly, I have not found that answer.

I found a web site recommending that one NOT take red yeast rice and niacin together (not that I can find it now!), and then found several web sites offering a combination of red yeast rice and niacin supplements!  What's up with that??

However, in an effort to save you the pain and suffering I experienced, I offer this:

• Pay attention to side effects of whatever you do
• Pay attention to drug interactions (yes, supplements you take matter when you’re taking meds)
• Don’t believe everything you read! Everyone is different and will react differently to both meds and supplements - what works for me may not work the same way for you
• Never give up! New information is available all the time
• Don’t be afraid to review, adjust, and learn

Being true to my own advice, I returned to the Internet to search for side effects of red yeast rice. I happened on a site that answered the million dollar question for me: “What should I avoid while taking red yeast rice?”

• Avoid drinking alcohol while using red yeast rice. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage. That was easy since I don’t drink.
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with red yeast rice and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your healthcare provider. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Are you kidding me?? I hadn’t seen that before and guess what my favorite beverage is? Yep ... Fresca ... laced with ... you guessed it ... concentrated grapefruit juice! A solution to the mystery! As the trumpets quieted in my head, I have now said ‘good-bye’ to my beloved Fresca and returned to Sprite Zero (and, yes, I double-checked the ingredients since it is a citrus-based drink). I will re-introduce red yeast rice next week, once I'm sure all is well.

A SIDENOTE: as I spoke to a co-worker recently, she said she’d prefer to just take a statin and avoid all the guessing games with which I am dealing ... me? I prefer to control my own health. Besides, statin drugs have their own issues ... popping one pill and hoping for the best just won’t work for me ... and if one were to read the statin drug insert one would discover you still have to monitor your diet and exercise.

Here are a couple more sites I found helpful:

• More about red yeast rice
• Supplements to lower cholesterol
• Interesting info about CoQ10
• More about CoQ10

Stay tuned for the return of red yeast rice...