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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Red Yeast Rice wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
15 of 16 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Probably helps
18 of 30 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
1200-2400mg providing 10mg monacolin K
Evening (cholesterol synthesis peaks at night)
Standardized extract with verified monacolin K content
2000-4000 IU daily
Morning with breakfast
D3 (cholecalciferol) softgel or liquid
8-12 weeks
8-12 weeks
4-8 weeks
4-8 weeks
2-4 weeks
4-8 weeks
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
Products with berberine alone had less robust effects on TC (MD -12.08 mg/dL [95%CI: -21.79 to -2.37]), LDL (MD -9.26 mg/dL [95%CI: -20.31 to 1.78]), and HDL (MD 1.38 mg/dL [95%CI: -1.27 to 4.03]) but TG effects were similar (MD -17.40 mg/dL [95%CI: -32.57 to -2.23]).
Vitamin D supplementation vs. placebo and incident type 2 diabetes in an ancillary study of the randomized Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial
Nature communications (2025) · Meta analysis · n=5205
Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.5 kg/m2 (SD = 5.3), with 51% female and 17% Black race/ethnicity.
Vitamin D Supplementation for Patients with Dysmenorrhoea: A Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis · n=687
TSA revealed that the current RCTs provide sufficient information.
Vitamin D and respiratory tract infections
BMJ (2017) · Meta analysis · n=11321
12% reduction in respiratory infections overall
Based on RCT showing 16.77% reduction with 3mg and 26.46% reduction with 10mg monacolin K. Conservative effectiveness scaling due to limited dose-response data and variable study quality noted in meta-analyses.
Meta-analysis showed 12% overall reduction in respiratory infections, with greater benefits in severely deficient individuals. Daily dosing more effective than bolus. Conservative estimate assumes most users not severely deficient.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Red Yeast Rice has a higher evidence score (7.8/10 vs 7.5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For reduce inflammation, Red Yeast Rice has a higher relevance score (90 vs 58).
No known interactions between Red Yeast Rice and Vitamin D3 have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.