Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRed Yeast Rice ControversyUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsSimilar SupplementsFood SourcesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Red Yeast Rice Controversy
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
Similar Supplements
Food Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Red yeast rice.Hendra Su / Getty Images
Hendra Su / Getty Images
RYR can contain many active ingredients, depending on how it is produced. The most studied ingredient is monacolin K, identical to the prescription medicine lovastatin, sold under the brand names Mevacor and Altoprev in the United States.Lovastatin is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of RYR products that contain monacolin K since it is the same chemical found in lovastatin.
However, an investigation of RYR supplements sold in the United States revealed a significant variation in monacolin K content, ranging from 0 to 5.4 milligrams (mg) per capsule.
Uses of Red Yeast Rice
RYR has primarily been studied for its cholesterol-lowering effect. It is commonly used to self-treat high cholesterol and protect against heart disease.Here’s the latest evidence of its effectiveness.
May Lower Cholesterol
High cholesterolis a risk factor forheart attacksandstrokes.Statins typically are the first-line treatment for people with high cholesterol to lower the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide.
RYR may be a good option for people with high cholesterol who cannot take statins due toside effectsor for another reason.RYR may also benefit people with slightly increased cholesterol levels that are not high enough to warrant statin treatment.
RYR’s ability to lower cholesterol levels is due primarily to monacolin K.Scientists think the effectiveness of each RYR product is related to the amount of monacolin K it contains.
Remember that RYR supplements sold in the United States typically do not list the amount of monacolin K they contain on the label per FDA guidelines. This is because it’s the same ingredient as the FDA-approved prescription drug lovastatin.Some RYR supplements don’t contain any monacolin K, though most contain at least some.Because of this, cholesterol-lowering effects may vary considerably between different products regarding.
Another review found that RYR lowered both total and LDL cholesterol in adults. It also increaseshigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL, or “good” cholesterol), which may protect the heart.
May Protect Against Heart Attacks
Researchers studied the effects of RYR in people with previous heart attacks who had borderline highcholesterol levels. They found that taking RYR can decrease the following:
Red Yeast Rice Supplement Facts
Additional Uses
The most evidence for RYR is related to its ability to lower cholesterol. But it’s also been studied for conditions such as:
Mostly, these studies are preliminary, meaning conducted in animal models or test tubes and not humans. Human trials have been scarce and either small or inconclusive.
There isn’t enough evidence to recommend RYR for any of these conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice?
Your healthcare provider may recommend taking RYR supplements to lower cholesterol or for another reason.
Remember that just because supplements are natural doesn’t mean they are safe or a good choice for everyone. Taking a supplement like RYR may cause side effects. These side effects can be common or severe.
Common Side Effects
In clinical trials, less than 5% of people who took RYR developed liver or kidney injury. Up to 23% of people who took RYR reportedmuscle symptoms.
Still, daily levels of 3 to 10 mg of monacolin K are generally considered to cause minimal side effects.The tricky part is that product labels do not state how much monacolin K is present in RYR supplements, so you can’t be sure how much you’re getting.
And keep in mind that most clinical trials only lasted up to 12 weeks, so more long-term trials on safety are needed.
Severe Side Effects
Serious side effects of RYR can be due to monacolin K or citritin, a contaminant found in some products. These side effects include the following:
Do keep the following precautions in mind when using RYR:
Dosage: How Much Red Yeast Rice Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
Clinical trials of RYR’s effects on cholesterol have used doses ranging from 1,200 to 4,800 mg daily.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Red Yeast Rice?
Taking more RYR than recommended or with statins can increase the risk of side effects like muscle pain (myopathy) or breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has determined an upper limit (UL) for citrinin, sometimes produced when RYR is made.
Citrinin can be toxic to the kidneys.
The maximum daily dose of citrinin is 20 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg).
RYR should not be taken along with statins as it could lead to an overdose.
Taking RYR with some medicines and foods can increase the risk of side effects like muscle damage. Some examples of these interacting medicines include:
The cholesterol-lowering effects of RYR may be increased when it’s taken with other supplements such as:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Some other nutraceuticals (foods with medicinal effects) that have been found to lower LDL cholesterol include:
RYR is the most effective nutraceutical for reducing cholesterol levels.
Food Sources of Red Yeast Rice
RYR may be found in rice wines, some vinegars, and tofu.
It has also traditionally been used in East Asian cuisine to add color or flavor to food and as a preservative.
Summary
RYR is a popular dietary supplement proven to lower cholesterol levels and is often viewed as a “natural statin.”
But keep in mind that “natural” does not always mean safe. As with other supplements, discussing taking RYR with your healthcare provider before you start taking it is essential.
Your provider can help ensure that it won’t interact with other prescriptions or supplements you currently take. They can also help you monitor its effect on your cholesterol levels to ensure it’s working.
Remember that monacolin K is not regulated, and results can differ dramatically between RYR products.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt varies and depends on the fermentation method and the yeast strain used in manufacturing. A wide range of monacolin K has been found in commercial products in the United States, from 0 mg to 5.4 mg per capsule.Most labels do not list monacolin K content.Typical side effects of RYR include muscle pain, gastrointestinal (GI) distress (stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea), fatigue, and headache.RYR, which contains 10 mg of monacolin K, has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol about as much as moderate-intensity statins do.Remember that monacolin K in any product can vary up to sixtyfold.Lower levels of monacolin K may not lower cholesterol much, while higher levels are more likely to cause side effects.
It varies and depends on the fermentation method and the yeast strain used in manufacturing. A wide range of monacolin K has been found in commercial products in the United States, from 0 mg to 5.4 mg per capsule.Most labels do not list monacolin K content.
Typical side effects of RYR include muscle pain, gastrointestinal (GI) distress (stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea), fatigue, and headache.
RYR, which contains 10 mg of monacolin K, has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol about as much as moderate-intensity statins do.Remember that monacolin K in any product can vary up to sixtyfold.Lower levels of monacolin K may not lower cholesterol much, while higher levels are more likely to cause side effects.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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