Remedy · supplement

Red yeast rice

Also: RYR, Monascus purpureus

A fermented rice that lowers LDL because it naturally contains a statin.

Active compounds Monacolin K

Evidence by condition

Each grade reflects the research for Red yeast rice and that condition specifically.

B
High cholesterol
Lowers LDL ~15–25%, similar to a low-dose statin — because it contains lovastatin (monacolin K).
2 citation s
- Lipid-Lowering Nutraceuticals in Clinical Practice (JACC Focus Seminar)
  Narrative review 2021 · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.11.056
- Red Yeast Rice
  NCCIH · accessed 2026-06-21

Because it is effectively an unregulated statin, red yeast rice carries statin risks (muscle and liver injury) plus inconsistent dosing and possible contamination. Discuss with a clinician.

What researchers studied

These describe how the remedy was used in studies — not a dose or a recommendation.

Form studied: standardized extract (monacolin content varies widely and is often mislabelled)
Amounts in trials: products providing ~3–10 mg monacolin K/day

Safety

Avoid in pregnancy

Interactions: statins, fibrates, CYP3A4 inhibitors
Contraindications: pregnancy or breastfeeding
liver disease
Side effects: muscle pain
liver enzyme rise
citrinin contamination (kidney-toxic) in some products

Safety data is not exhaustive. Always check with a clinician or pharmacist before combining remedies or medications.

Tradition vs. evidence

Traditional use is context, not proof. Here is what older systems claim, and how modern research treats it.

Traditional Chinese MedicineEvidence aligns
A traditional Chinese food and medicine for circulation.