Dr. Tzu-Ming Pan is an Emeritus Professor of Biotechnology at the National Taiwan University in Taipei. His research over many years focused on beneficial molecules produced by Monascus and many other plants and bacteria. His lab identified a strain of Monascus that did not make monacolin K, yet surprisingly was able to reduce LDL cholesterol in animal models.
Figure 4. The Monascus strain used to make Ankascin (A), and the chemical structures of Monascin (B) and Ankaflavin (C).
After several years of work, Dr. Pan and his group isolated two molecules from red yeast rice that were responsible for this cholesterol lowering effect. These molecules, named monascin and ankaflavin, are chemically very similar (see Figure 4), suggesting that they function in similar or complementary cellular pathways. In fact, they turned out to have other remarkable properties. Not only could monascin and ankaflavin lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, they also helped in the management of blood pressure, blood sugar, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Pan’s group and others have published almost 100 research papers in the last 10 years that reported these findings. The red yeast rice extract they produced was called Ankascin 568-R. It is enriched with monascin and ankaflavin, and its safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in several clinical trials for different treatment conditions.
This data led to the inclusion of Ankascin in the FDA’s list of New Dietary Ingredients that are reasonably expected to be safe. It also received approval for sale by Health Canada’s Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate. As a supplement that is free of both monacolin K and citrinin, it is safe and effective for both short and long term use.
NOT ONLY COULD MONASCIN AND ANKAFLAVIN LOWER LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN THE BLOOD, THEY ALSO HELPED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD SUGAR, AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It makes sense that what you put into your body shows itself in your skin. Nature gives us everything we need to nourish and support our bodies. Of course, it’s up to you to ensure that you eat a well-balanced diet that contains all the nutrients your body and skin need to be healthy. Here are the ingredients your food must-have for optimal skin health. Phytoceramides Phytoceramides are molecular substances that exist in natural plants, such as wheat and rice. These are so potent for ski rejuvenation that many premium skin
The Skinny on AOR’s Free Form Curcumin Now that curcumin is the hottest thing since sliced bread, we feel it is time to finally set the record straight and get down to the nitty gritty bits of what makes a truly superior, effective curcumin formulation. So, let’s take a few steps back and start at the beginning. Curcumin—one of the active ingredients in turmeric root is one of three bright pigments that give it its beautiful golden colour. As a whole, these pigments are known as curcuminoids. Traditionally, turmeric root has many uses: as a digestive aid, preservative, and blood purifier, but
The heart is the most vital organ in the body, so it’s essential to do everything within your power to support heart health. This includes not smoking, not drinking to excess, and getting enough exercise and sleep. Beyond those, there are other things you can do to ensure a healthy heart for as long as possible. The Role of Cholesterol in Heart Health The connection between cholesterol and heart health is widely proven in scientific studies. Cholesterol is a major contributor to a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. Heart disease is the leading
Back
