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Red Yeast Rice
•Last Updated: January 4, 2024
Red yeast rice (RYR) is a fermented rice used traditionally in East Asia as a medicine and food. Supplementation with RYR seems to reduce cholesterol levels and may improve overall cardiovascular health. The main active compound in RYR is monacolin K, which is identical to the cholesterol-lowering medication lovastatin.
Red Yeast Rice is most often used for
Last Updated:January 4, 2024
Red yeast rice (RYR) is a fermented rice product from East Asia and is created by fermenting white rice with the fungus Monascus purpureus, which gives it a reddish-purple color and produces bioactive compounds. The primary active ingredient, monacolin K, is molecularly similar to the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, and RYR has been studied for its potential benefits in dyslipidemia and cardiovascular health.
Red yeast rice (RYR) has been shown in clinical trials to improve lipid profiles by reducing LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B while increasing HDL cholesterol, with effects that are comparable to those of moderate-intensity statin medications. Additionally, RYR may improve markers of atherosclerosis and reduce systemic inflammation, although most studies have been conducted in Chinese populations, thus limiting generalizability.
Red yeast rice (RYR) may cause rare serious side effects such as rhabdomyolysis and hepatitis, particularly when taken at normal dosages, and it can contain the harmful compound citrinin. Additionally, there is significant variability in the monacolin K content across RYR supplements, which can affect their effectiveness and safety, especially when combined with certain medications or statins.
Red yeast rice (RYR) works primarily through monacolins, especially monacolin K, which (like classic statins) inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, thereby reducing cholesterol synthesis in the body. Additionally, pigments in RYR may enhance lipid metabolism and increase the excretion of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Note that Red Yeast Rice is also known as:
- RYR
- Hongqu
- Red koji
- Angkak
- Monascus
- Red fermented rice
- Red mold rice
- Xueshikang (a Traditional Chinese Medicine standardized extract)
- Zhibituo (a Traditional Chinese Medicine standardized extract)
Red Yeast Rice should not be confused with:
- Lovastatin (active ingredient)
- Monascus purpureus (mold used in processing)
In clinical trials, the most common dosage of RYR is 600 mg twice daily. This dose has demonstrated effectiveness for reducing LDL cholesterol, improving atherosclerosis, and lowering the risk of major adverse cardiac events.[3][4][5] Importantly, most clinical trials have used a traditional Chinese medicine standardized extract, Xuezhikang. At a dose of 600 mg twice daily, Xuexhikang would provide about 10 mg daily of the active compound monacolin K, which is suggested to be the adequate amount for reducing LDL cholesterol.[6][7] Ultimately, most supplements don’t disclose the amount of monacolin K they contain, which makes it challenging to ensure adequate doses are achieved.
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