Red yeast rice (RYR) extract is a traditional Chinese medicine for cholesterol lowering. It also been used as a food coloring, additive, and preservative [1]. RYR contains more than 10 different monocolins from most effective for cholesterol lowering is Monacolin K. RYR is an effective and safe agent for improving lipid profile. RYR has been demonstrated to not only improve lipid metabolism, but it can also reduce blood pressure, and may possess anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, and osteogenic properties [2].
European Food Safety Authority investigated and confirmed a beneficial effect of Monacolin K on lipid spectrum [3].
1. Chen H-HS. Clinical inquiry: is red-yeast rice a safe and effective alternative to statins? J Fam Pract 2015; 64:128–135
2. Veronique Verhoeven. Red yeast rice lowers cholesterol in physicians – a double blind, placebo controlled randomized trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013; 13: 178.
3. Patel S. Functional food red yeast rice (RYR) for metabolic syndrome amelioration: a review on pros and cons. World J. Microb. Biot. (2016) 32:2035–2042.