With all the controversy over statin drugs recently, you might be on the search for a healthy, over-the-counter alternative. A few recent studies have found a common chinese supplement could help dramatically reduce cholesterol.

The Merits of Red Yeast Rice

A Chinese supplement, red yeast rice, is a natural remedy for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks. Studies have showed that 5,000 Chinese heart attack patients who were taking red yeast rice pills cut their risk of getting another heart attack by nearly 50%. They also reduced their chances of needing heart procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty. Chances of dying from cancer were also reduced by two-thirds.

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It’s 2:00 pm, and Julie Raines (not her real name) is looking forward to meeting with hospice staff. But today she isn’t seeing a doctor, nurse, or social worker. Today, she’s working with an art therapist. Julie has a rare neurological disorder. Before she started doing art, she was hostile towards her treatment team. Now she is able to express her anger—and recently, some positive emotions as well—on paper. Her team notes that she has become more accepting of her disease process and more able to express her needs to the care team.

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With the rising costs of gasoline and other consumer market products these days, individuals are searching for ways to save money all around. One such instance where saving money is a key factor is in the case of health care costs. Health care products and services can cost quite a bit of money for many individuals, whether they need such care only occasionally or on a constant basis. The good news is that there are ways to save money on health care costs and keep some money in your pocket for other necessities.

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Remember the stories your grandparents told you about walking ten miles in the snow both ways? Eventually you learned to be skeptical. We’ve dug up some mythical old wives’ health stories ourselves, and put them under scrutiny. Truth is, a lot don’t hold water. Here are a few medical myths that we found to be as dusty as Pop’s old wing-tip loafers. It’s time put these relics on the shelf where they belong.

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