Red Yeast Rice
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Rice fermented with the mold Monascus purpureus, which produces compounds called monacolins, including monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the prescription drug lovastatin.
Why it’s used
Taken to help manage cholesterol levels as an alternative to conventional statin therapy.
What the evidence is for
lowering LDL cholesterol.
What the evidence says
Systematic reviews and clinical trials report that red yeast rice can lower LDL cholesterol, an effect attributed to its monacolin K content. However, monacolin K levels vary widely and are inconsistently regulated between products, so the actual dose delivered is often unknown, and this variability is a recognized limitation of the evidence.
Dose studied
5–10 mg — monacolin K content used in cholesterol trials.
Context
Clinical trials have generally used red yeast rice extracts providing roughly 5 to 10 milligrams of monacolin K per day, taken for periods of 8 to 12 weeks or longer.
Educational information, not medical or safety advice. Consult a professional for allergies or medical concerns.