Red Yeast Rice and Cholesterol
“Red yeast rice” is a type of fermented rice produced using a specific species of mould. Although it has only been on pharmacy shelves for the last few decades, it has been prized for its powerful medicinal properties for hundreds of years.
Do these supplements work? In theory, yes. But whether or not you should take them is a little more complex.
They contain the compound monacolin K — the same active ingredient found in prescription cholesterol-lowering medications like lovastatin.
Because it’s chemically identical to a statin, it does work, and it’s often used as a cost-effective alternative to pricey medications to help reduce cholesterol levels. However, because it’s similar to statins, it can also have the same side effects as a statin and can interact with other medications, so it’s important to tell your doctor if you are taking something like this.
Now, I don’t recommend these to my clients. Because the supplement industry is poorly regulated and is a bit of a “Wild West”. Whereas drugs are much better regulated. And often, it’s difficult to know if you’re even getting bang for your buck. The labels on these products usually just state the amount of red yeast rice or Monascus purpureus (the mould), not the amount of monacolin k. So you might be getting none of this monacolin K (and just some mouldy rice), or you could be getting a really high dose that might be higher than the dose that your doctor would have prescribed to you starting off in the first place.
There is no standardization as there is with normal-regulated drugs. So, if you decide to take it, please let your healthcare provider know so they can monitor your cholesterol and your symptoms.
