Nutritional quality and balance is a most crucial aspect for bodily health, especially for those with health complications. If you or your doctor has chosen to utilize nutritional supplements (in tandem with a balanced and good-quality diet), then you want to make sure you are using the best products for you.
In this blog, we continue with our Alphabet Soup series by taking a look at an eclectic list of supplements which start with ‘R’. Among these products you will find the potential to help manage cholesterol, support immune health, stabilize blood pressure, and more.
Red yeast rice is an herbal supplement made from culturing a particular yeast, called Monascus purpureus, on rice. It has been used as a medication since the BC era in Chinese traditional medicine, and it is now used as a natural means to help manage cholesterol and lipid levels in the bloodstream. Studies show that taking a red yeast rice supplement could reduce unhealthy low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by between 21 and 30%. It could also reduce blood lipid levels in those with certain conditions often treated with statin drugs, and it might be better-tolerated by the body compared to statins. Red yeast rice is worth consideration for anyone who has been told by their doctor that they need to better manage their cholesterol and lipid levels.
Reishi is a type of mushroom (or fungus) that has been shown to have multiple meaningful health benefits. It is a popular natural supplement. A foremost benefit is reishi’s ability to strengthen the immune system by enhancing the effectiveness of white blood cells. Reishi also contains polysaccharides which could reduce fatigue after exercise, and similarly reduce depression, as well. Lastly, reishi can help manage blood sugar levels and manage cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy supplement. Consider these great benefits of a reishi mushroom supplement.
Royal jelly is a natural supplement derived from bees, and research has established that it has a litany of healthful properties. Those who take a royal jelly supplement could attain all of them. Royal jelly has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial properties. Noticeable benefits of royal jelly could include increased energy, enhanced resistance to stress, the stabilization of blood pressure, hormone balance, and a reduction of menopause symptoms in aging women. If you value bees and natural supplements, choose royal jelly as your next purchase.
Rutin is a flavonoid found in multiple types of plants including apples and figs, and it is made available in supplement form. It can provide multiple health benefits. Rutin can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow by helping blood vessels to relax. It can also help to reduce both LDL and total cholesterol, thereby preventing plaque build-up, which can become dangerous over time. It could also benefit the structural wellbeing of joints, and could thereby potentially reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Rutin is worth considering for its general benefits to cardiovascular health, when used in tandem with a healthy diet.
Which of these four “R” supplements in our Alphabet Soup rotation could best help you? It is recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider about using any of these, or any supplement, before adding them to your usual nutritional regimen.