Red Yeast Rice (Monacolin K)
Fermented rice containing natural statins that effectively lower LDL cholesterol — the original statin.
Red Yeast Rice is rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast, producing monacolin K — chemically identical to lovastatin. Used for centuries in Chinese medicine, it effectively lowers LDL cholesterol. However, monacolin content varies widely between products, and it carries similar risks to pharmaceutical statins. A natural option for cholesterol but requires careful sourcing and monitoring.
Blocks cholesterol synthesis
How Red Yeast Rice works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
1200-2400mg providing 10mg monacolin K
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Standardized extract with verified monacolin K content | Recommended |
| 🧪Whole red yeast rice powder | Alternative |
CRITICAL: Monacolin K content varies 0-10mg+ between products. Choose brands that verify and disclose monacolin K content.
Minimum: 8 weeks
Optimal: 16 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Take in evening with dinner, same timing as prescription statins.
15-30% decrease in LDL cholesterol
Reduced total cholesterol
Contraindicated — same as statins
May have same issues — try cautiously
Do NOT combine — identical mechanism, additive effects
Inhibits metabolism like lovastatin
Increased myopathy risk
Increase monacolin K levels
Risk of statin overdose, muscle damage, rhabdomyolysis
Risk of muscle damage, liver toxicity
Risk of statin overdose, muscle damage
Tip: Same as statins — discontinue if occurs; add CoQ10
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Monitor liver enzymes
Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers
Cicero AFG et al. • Nutrients (2021)
“These changes are consistent with improved cardiometabolic health.”
Trogkanis E et al. • Nutrients (2024)
“Further research on specific subpopulations and outcomes could establish a consensus on determining the clinical benefits and potential risks, if any, of this nutraceutical.”
Hernandez AV et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2024)
“Berberine, alone or with other nutraceuticals, can provide a modest positive impact on lipid concentrations.”
Angelopoulos N et al. • Nutrients (2023)
“Our results confirm the LDL-C-lowering properties of monacolin are clinically meaningful even in lower doses of 3 mg/day.”
Liu X et al. • Nutrients (2023)
“However, it did not significantly affect serum TG, HDL-C, and CIMT.”
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