If you’ve ever been told your cholesterol is “a little high” and wondered if there’s a more natural way to support it — you’ve probably heard of red yeast rice.

Let’s talk about what it actually is, how it works in the body, and why it deserves both respect and caution.

What Is Red Yeast Rice — Really?

Red yeast rice is made by fermenting rice with a specific yeast. During that fermentation, the rice produces compounds called monacolins.

One of those compounds — monacolin K — is important because it’s chemically the same as lovastatin, a prescription cholesterol-lowering medication.

So while red yeast rice comes from a natural source, it’s not “gentle” in the way many people assume. It works on the same pathway in the liver that statin drugs do.

That’s why it can be effective — and also why it needs to be used thoughtfully.

How Red Yeast Rice Supports Cholesterol & Heart Health

1. Helps Lower “Bad” LDL Cholesterol

Multiple studies show that red yeast rice can significantly lower LDL cholesterol — the kind that contributes to plaque buildup in arteries.

In research settings, LDL levels dropped by 15–30%, which is similar to what you’d expect from a low-dose statin.

This is the main reason people turn to red yeast rice.

2. Supports Total Cholesterol & Triglycerides

Red yeast rice may also help lower:
• Total cholesterol
• Triglycerides (another blood fat linked to heart disease)

Some studies even show small improvements in HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

3. Supports Overall Heart & Blood Vessel Health

By improving cholesterol numbers, red yeast rice may help reduce strain on the heart and support healthier blood vessels — especially when paired with nutrition, movement, and stress management.

4. An Option for Some Who Don’t Tolerate Statins

Some people who experience muscle pain or side effects from statin medications have used red yeast rice successfully under supervision.

That said — because it works like a statin, it can still cause similar side effects in a small amount of people.

Very Important Things to Know

This part matters just as much as the benefits.

Not All Supplements Are the Same

Red yeast rice supplements are not regulated like medications, so the amount of active ingredient can vary widely between brands.

Some products contain very little active compound.
Others may contain more than expected.

That means results — and side effects — can be unpredictable. At the Wellness Training Institute’s all the supplements are third party tested and researched to make sure  they are of the highest quality.

It Can Have Statin-Like Side Effects

Because red yeast rice works like a statin, it can sometimes cause:
• muscle aches
• liver enzyme changes
• digestive discomfort

And it should not be combined with prescription statins unless guided by a healthcare provider.

“Natural” does not always mean risk-free.

Talk to Your Provider First

Red yeast rice is not appropriate for everyone — especially if you:
• already take cholesterol medications
• have liver or kidney issues
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• take medications that affect the liver

If it’s used, labs should be monitored.

Our Perspective as Wellness Practitioners

We view red yeast rice as a powerful tool — not a casual supplement.

It may be helpful for:
✔️ people with mildly elevated cholesterol
✔️ those exploring alternatives with supervision
✔️ individuals also committed to nutrition, movement, and overall health

But it’s not something I recommend casually or without guidance.

Cholesterol support works best when we also address:
• whole-food nutrition
• fiber intake
• inflammation
• stress and sleep
• consistent movement

Supplements can support the process — but they’re never the whole picture.

Bottom Line

Red yeast rice can significantly lower LDL cholesterol and support heart health — sometimes in a way similar to low-dose statin therapy.

If you’re considering it, the safest approach is an informed one — with your provider involved and your lifestyle foundation in place.

You can buy here.

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Two Sides of “Together”

Part of the reason it’s hard to change your diet is that food in our culture (and most others, for that matter!) is such a communal activity. Sunday dinners with grandma. Christmas dinner with the whole extended family. Your first date at an Italian restaurant. Even at the office, people tend to congregate… that’s why we have something called “the lunchroom.”

All of which is fantastic! It’s a pillar of tradition, of how we do life together.

But when you’re making big dietary changes and no one else around has made that decision for themselves, it can be difficult not to stand out. Not to have them look at you a little funny. Not to have them question what you’re doing.

Another big part of this difficulty draws directly from human nature. When we see one person making a big life change in our group, our natural response is, first and foremost, suspicion. People tend to look at their own habits and get a little defensive.

Like, “Who are you to say that there’s something wrong with the way I’m living my life, including the food I’m eating?”

As humans, we want change. But, we also want that change on our own terms. And when someone within the group makes a change, it can be seen as a direct criticism of the group itself.

It’s a natural response. A human response.

And here’s the thing…

It’s going to happen.

Preparation is key

That’s the first thing to know when you’re making a big change. You are, one hundred percent of the time, going to get some degree of blowback from your friends, family, or co-workers.

Going into those situations with your mind in the right place will allow you to stick to your plan and also diffuse most of the conflict that might arise.

The other side of the coin, though, is that you can’t get healthy alone. You need a supportive community around you, pushing you forward, living through the journey with you.

Find a community that has your best interest in mind, people who can guide you. It’s key to your success.

The post How to Handle Resistance When You’re Making Positive Changes appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

The Why

For example, a lot of what we eat doesn’t come from a place of nutrition. Instead, what we eat tends to have a lot to do with how we feel.

When we’re happy, we eat a brownie.

When we’re sad, we reach for the whole tray of brownies.

It doesn’t matter if we’re hungry or not. We eat. And a lot of people (and I used to be this way, so don’t accuse me of getting preachy on you) just eat out of simple boredom.

A brownie, for most of us, is often legitimately just something to do.

Being mindful about WHY you eat, on the other hand, puts the nutritional factorial back into the equation. If you are upset and start reaching into the snack cabinet, take a breath, and ask yourself: why?

The Power of Habit

Eating mindfully is one of those habits that can make a big difference very quickly. Honestly, most of our program members come in never having given a second of thought as to WHY they eat what they eat. And once those roots are uncovered, you can see the revelation almost visibly on their faces.

And this principle is never so powerful than during times when you’ve fallen off the wagon. If you go to a party and eat something you shouldn’t, ask yourself, “Why?” Why did you eat that? Did you intend on eating that thing the whole time on the drive there? Or did something specific trigger the urge to break your diet? How much of it had to do with who you with? Or was it for another reason?

Whatever that reason is, use the little failures as bricks, one by one, to build your huge successes. Again, it gets back to one of life’s most important lessons…

It’s never about perfection.

No, it’s always about progress.

And you can’t have progress without little hiccups on the way. When you’ve fallen off, take a moment to find the reason behind the fall, dust yourself off, and then climb right back onto that wagon.

After all, you have an amazing journey ahead of you!

The post Why Falling Off the Wagon Can Actually be a Good Thing appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

One of our members recently told me a story about a chili dog. Which reminded me of my life-long temptation with potato chips. Which taught me an incredible lesson about why people fall off their diet.

So, a quick story:

A few months ago, I was talking with one of our members who was ready to graduate from our program. She was doing great! She’d stuck to the plan we’d created together and she’d completely turned around her health. As we were talking, she mentioned that after she was at the point where she could begin adding different items back into her diet, she was at a barbecue where they were serving chili dogs.

She tried one.

Nine months before that day, she would’ve eaten it and felt normal… or, she would’ve felt terrible (she now knew) but she always felt terrible so there wasn’t much of a difference no matter what she ate back then.

On this day, though, she could feel it instantly. The chili dog was not good. It didn’t taste good. And, moreover, she didn’t feel good after eating it.

And she told me, as we talked, that it was amazing that once her system had been reset, once she’d eliminated all the terrible food she’d eaten her whole life, and gone full-in on a plant-based diet, her body could tell instinctively when it was fed something that wasn’t giving her the nutrition she needed

Overcoming the Misconception

I think this is an amazing example of what people who haven’t gone through a detox or thorough dietary transition don’t understand. The idea of giving up soda, hamburgers, or potato chips (once my kryptonite, as I’ve mentioned before) sounds impossible from the outside. Won’t you have constant cravings? Won’t you think about nothing else, every minute of every day?

The truth of it, though, is that yes, it’s hard at the beginning. But as you get in touch with your body, learn the “why” behind your cravings, and face them directly, eventually, your body, as you feed it what it needs, will learn what works for you—and what doesn’t.

And, more than that, you’ll learn to listen for the signals it’s sending you.

If you begin building the habits that provide the foundation for so much of our health—awareness, consideration, transformation (which you can read more about here)—your body will tell you what it needs. It will tell you when you feel great and will communicate when something is wrong.

You, as we’ve said before, are your own best doctor. And when you feed it what it needs and respond naturally to its signals, the cravings for the junk you used to eat—the garbage that’s slowly killing you—eventually disappear.

Good News, Good News

So, there’s a double heaping helping of good news here.

The first is that if you fall off your diet, it’s not the end of the world. It just means that it’s time to hit the reset button again (with, for example, a detox) and get your body, mind, and soul realigned.

The other bit of good news is this: If you’re doing something wrong, your body will be sure to let you know!

The post Why Your Cravings Don’t Have to Define You Anymore appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

I recently got back from my first trip to Europe. I had a lot of apprehension about a number of things. At the top of that list, as someone who’s on a completely plant-based diet, was… what was I going to eat?

Here are five things I learned about how to maintain your dietary transition while you’re traveling.

1. Plan Ahead

There are two main elements to this step. First, mentally, remember why you are eating the way you are in the first place. What’s your “why” for making—and continuing—healthy changes in your life?

Secondly, you’re going to need to eat, so you’re going to need an actual, actionable plan. Failure will rarely happen if you’ve got your mind right, and part of your preparation may take a little research and list-making.

Just go in prepared and you should be good to go!

2. Research restaurant/menu options

In all but a very few cases, you should be able to find something healthy on the menu to order either as is or with slight modification. But it’s always a good idea to prepare ahead of time and make sure you go in with a plan.

At a restaurant, order fish or chicken with no sauces or breading (if you’re eating meat, at all) and steamed vegetables. Even better, you can just load up on vegetables!

You can also order a salad with no cheese (substitute avocado), processed meat, or dressings. Make your own dressing by asking for olive oil and vinegar or a lemon, and then season with salt and pepper.

Also: Don‘t be afraid to ask for your meal to be prepared the way you want it.

3. Buy and prepare your own food

If farmers markets or grocery stores are available—this will depend on where you’re traveling, of course!—do your shopping there. If you’re in the grocery store, stay to the periphery of the store where the fresh, organic food is. Avoid the processed foods in the aisles. And if you’re in a place with new-to-you fruits and vegetables, get a little adventurous. Diving into the local (healthy) food is often one of the best ways to explore a new culture.

4. Stay hydrated

A lot of the time, people snack because they’re actually just thirsty. So, make sure you have plenty of water available, no matter where you are.

Also, your body needs water. So, drink enough of it.

Avoid sodas or sugary drinks at all costs.

5. If you mess up, don’t beat yourself up

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but I want you to hear it anyway. If you fall off your diet, pick yourself up and do it better again tomorrow. Part of the joy of traveling is entering into the unknown, even if it’s just a little different than normal. So, because of this, you’ll find yourself in situations that might not be entirely conducive to maintaining your nutritional plan.

If you fall off, don’t let it ruin your day. Just get back on, reaffirm your “why,” and go back to enjoying your trip!

The post 5 Ways to Maintain Your Diet While Traveling appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

Tony Robbins has identified six basic human needs, divided up into two categories, physical and spiritual. Physical needs include certainty, variety, significance, and love and connection. The two spiritual needs are growth and contribution.

This list teaches us some important things about our total health.

We all need a certain number of them more than others because we’re each unique. Some of us may need more certainty than variety, while others might pursue significance above connecting to others.

But, what do we all have in common? We’re complicated animals, but each of these needs has to be met in one way or another. That’s why health needs to address every part of who you are.

This is why fad diets don’t work. Or, if they do, then it’s only for a short time. You might lose weight, but more times than not, it’s going to come back. And even if the weight stays off, that doesn’t mean that you’re any healthier.

The Symptom

The weight is a symptom. It’s an indicator that other, deeper issues are at play. And any plan that doesn’t address these underlying issues just isn’t going to be sustainable.

Taking back your health has to address all your needs—physical and spiritual.

Just cutting out the bad stuff from your diet is a great start. But it’s certainly not the end. Instead, you need to dig deeper and figure out the “why” behind your relationship with food.

Same thing with your connections to friends and family. Your relationships are a big part of your overall health.

Too often in our culture, our health is compartmentalized. We think of “diets” involving just food. We think of “exercise” as something that is only good for us physically. But, really, it’s all connected.

How Getting Healthy Works

And that’s why our Healthy Evolutions program addresses each facet of your health.

Health is more than weight loss. In fact, weight loss is really just a tiny part of it. If you’re ready to make the changes you need to make, and you do the hard work of making the changes you need to make, of course, you’re going to lose weight.

But the benefits don’t end there. In fact, that’s just the start.

You’re going to take a journey that will change you forever. And along the way, you’ll find happiness, life, health, and community.

If you’ve tried everything else—with little or no success—and are truly ready to take back your health, I’d love to connect.

Just click here to come to one of our free Wellness Dinner Seminars (if you’re in the Detroit-Metro area) or schedule a Discovery Call to chat about your goals and see if our program is a good fit for you. After all, you’ve got nothing to lose—and a whole world of health and happiness to gain!

The post The 6 Human Needs, and Why They Matter to Your Health appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

1. Ask your existing friends

Often the best place for starting your search for a community is within the social circles you already revolve inside. For some people, this is incredibly easy. For others, it may not be.

But if you seek out friends and ask for their support and tell them, “Hey, I’m starting to take back my health and I’d love if you could support me,” very few true friends are going to turn you down. The key is to be open, honest, and to let them know “why” you’re taking these steps.

Another tack is to invite them to join you. Accountability groups can be an effective way to grow as a community and also replace those bad habits with good ones. Plus, it’s easier to move ahead as a group, helping and supporting each other, than it is to go it all by your lonesome.

2. Facebook groups

Now that a significant amount of our communication happens online, Facebook groups have come to be convenient ways to find niche communities. This holds for groups dedicated to plant-based nutritional support as well. While certainly not as intimate as meeting in real life, for many people who can’t find a supportive community around them, Facebook groups might be a good option.

There are two key points to keep in mind here.

First, make sure the group is truly focused on holistic, plant-based nutrition. If the group appears to promote one or a number of fad diets, keep searching. Same thing for any group that seems to be peddling certain products or that tries to get you to sign up to sell things yourself. You’re smart, so do your due diligence.

The second key is to find one that is truly supportive. Nutrition is one thing. A very important thing. But there are a number of other elements that are key to your health, and toxicity isn’t one of them.

3. Join our program

Want a guarantee that you’ll be surrounded by people who care about and support you, while also providing a nutritional and wellness plan that fits your unique needs and lifestyle?

If so, then our Healthful Evolutions program may be just the place for you.

We provide a plan and process that takes you from wherever you are now in your health journey and move you, step-by-step, towards ever-increasing levels of health.

The simple truth is this…

We know what works. We know what steps to take to get you healthy and live your best life. And we surround you with a caring team of staff and members who are taking the same journey you are.

Also, our program is designed to work within your current life. No retreats, no weekends spent somewhere outside your home. It’s all about habits, and those new healthy habits need to happen within the scope of your day-to-day existence. And, again, it also needs to happen within a supportive community.

So, no matter how you find your community, I hope this at least gives you a good start. The key, of course, is to find a community that loves and supports you in your journey forward toward complete wellness and true happiness!

The post 3 Ways to Develop a Supportive Community to Help You Get Healthy appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

Larry left the cardiologist’s office that day with bad news. If he didn’t get his blood sugar under control and lose some weight, he was going to have to go under the knife for an aortic transplantation.

He left with the warning. But what he didn’t have were any ideas about how to get his health under control.

His first experience with Nicole and Mickey at the Wellness Training Institute’s Dinner Seminar left him skeptical… until they started talking. It was at that point—when he realized that he’d been getting bad health advice for his entire life—that he realized he needed what they were offering. Namely, education.

The post Larry: Change Your Understanding, Change Your Life appeared first on Wellness Training Institute.

Joy woke up one morning and couldn’t walk. The pain in her joints was overwhelming… She was terrified by not knowing what was happening to her.After visiting doctor after doctor, she was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. To treat her condition, the doctors put her on a whole laundry list of medications.And that’s when things started to get really serious. She gained weight and developed a number of conditions that she hadn’t had before going on all the shots and pills.So, she turned to The Wellness Training Institute, and by changing her lifestyle, she was able to take back her health. Watch Joy’s story to find out how she was able to change her life to the point that her rheumatologist was shocked at her transformation!

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The numbers speak for themselves. At 50, Paul’s cholesterol was at 350.The doctors told him not to worry. Just do the following and you’ll be fine:Switch to skim milk.Only eat egg whites.Eat more fish.Switch over to olive oil.All standard medical advice, right?Well, by 55 things hadn’t gotten better. In fact, they’d gotten much worse. And it was only after a life-threatening medical emergency that Paul made the one change that, by the time he turned 60, had lowered his cholesterol from 350 to 100. A change that’s also given him more energy than he had at 30!Watch how Paul changed his lifestyle, and in turn, changed his life!

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