Heal Thyself

Peking duck might be more than just a delicacy. Its reddish color is due to red yeast rice, a fungus that could lower cholesterol. Red yeast rice, a natural remedy used in China as far back as 800 A.D., is believed to contain statins that can lower LDL cholesterol levels. Drugs such as Lipitor, which are currently used to treat high cholesterol, consist of manufactured statins that can cause muscle pain. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that high-cholesterol subjects who took 6 capsules of red yeast rice daily over 6 months showed a significant decline in LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) levels compared with the placebo group.

Want to test your cholesterol knowledge? Take this American Heart Association quiz.

In Other News:

Go Nutty:

If you aren't partial to poultry, nosh on nuts, especially pistachios, which reduce cholesterol. The FDA has recommended hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans as part of a heart-healthy diet.

Voilà, a Healthy Heart!

Despite a diet high in saturated fats, the French do not succumb so readily to heart disease. Their secret may be red wine, which contains resveratrol, a compound that reduces the risk of heart disease up to 30 percent, when consumed in moderation, of course.

Yes to Yeast:

Vegans, rejoice. Nutritional yeast, hailed as a "wonder food," is packed with B-vitamins, particularly B-12. With its distinctive cheesy flavor, this supplement regulates blood sugar and can be used to whip up tasty treats.