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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Magnesium vs Red Yeast Rice: Magnesium has the stronger overall evidence (8.5 vs 7.8/10); they're alternatives for support heart health — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Magnesium wins 3 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mixed evidence
2 of 6 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Likely helps
7 of 7 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (2)
Outcomes where both Magnesium and Red Yeast Rice have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
200-250mg elemental magnesium daily
Evening for sleep/relaxation (glycinate), Morning for energy (malate), Anytime (citrate)
Depends on goal - see notes
1200-2400mg providing 10mg monacolin K
Evening (cholesterol synthesis peaks at night)
Standardized extract with verified monacolin K content
and 4 more not shown
and 4 more not shown
1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks
1 week
Immediate
8-12 weeks
8-12 weeks
Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2014) · Meta analysis · n=9090
Ten trials involving 9090 women and their babies. Only two were judged to be of high quality overall.
Magnesium Supplementation and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hypertension (2025) · Meta analysis · n=2709
38 RCTs with 2709 participants, median 365 mg elemental magnesium for a median 12 weeks. Systolic BP -2.81 mmHg (95% CI -4.32 to -1.29), diastolic -2.05 mmHg versus placebo.
Magnesium and Potassium Supplementation for Systolic Blood Pressure Reduction in the General Normotensive Population: A Systematic Review and Subgroup Meta-Analysis for Optimal Dosage and Treatment Length
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
Both supplements demonstrated greater reductions in SBP for the general population at lower dosages and longer treatment durations.
Efficacy and Safety of Armolipid Plus(®): An Updated PRISMA Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials
Nutrients (2021) · Meta analysis · n=1050
Armolipid Plus® was well tolerated.
Safety and Efficacy of the Consumption of the Nutraceutical "Red Yeast Rice Extract" for the Reduction of Hypercholesterolemia in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
The consumption of RYR extract by people with hypercholesterolemia was associated with statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-C, whereas it was not associated with an increase in life-threatening side effects.
Impact of Berberine or Berberine Combination Products on Lipoprotein, Triglyceride and Biological Safety Marker Concentrations in Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of dietary supplements (2024) · Meta analysis · n=4838
Meta-analysis of 41 randomized trials (4,838 patients) of berberine products, alone or combined with other nutraceuticals such as red yeast rice, for 8-18 weeks.
Both points come from one 8-week randomised trial in 105 people with mild high cholesterol (PMID 37375586): LDL fell by 16.77% on 3 mg of monacolin K and by 26.46% on 10 mg, on top of lifestyle change, and effectiveness is that percentage fall. The product also contained CoQ10, grape seed and olive leaf extracts, and no severe adverse events occurred. A separate 8-week trial of 200 mg red yeast rice with 2 mg monacolin K in 18 people lowered LDL more than diet alone (PMID 34587702). The 6 mg point was removed because no cited trial tested it, and no cited trial tested more than 10 mg.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Magnesium has a higher evidence score (8.5/10 vs 7.8/10) and wins in 3 of 3 categories.
For support heart health, Red Yeast Rice has a higher relevance score (90 vs 75).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
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The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.