Red yeast rice is a supplement touted as a way to lower cholesterol without prescription medication. It may be an effective treatment for some, but reports of side effects and variable safety and efficacy exist.

Jump to Key Takeaways.

Red Yeast Rice's Impact on Cholesterol

Red yeast rice may lower cholesterol in people with mildly to moderately elevated cholesterol due to a compound called monacolin K. Monacolin K is structurally identical to lovastatin, a prescription statin medication that lowers cholesterol and triglycerides (a fat in the blood).

Studies have shown that red yeast rice extract, when containing adequate amounts of monacolin K, lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") by 15% to 34%.

Red yeast rice extract may lower cholesterol as much

See Full Page