Red Yeast Rice Extract

Red yeast rice, an Asian dietary supplement that is made by fermenting red yeast in rice, has just recently gained recognition in the United States as a cholesterol-lowering agent. Red yeast rice owes its cholesterol-lowering effects to compounds known as statins that are produced as a byproduct of the fermentation process. Unfortunately, in 2001 red yeast extract was withdrawn by the FDA when it was determined that red yeast supplements were too similar in chemical structure to the prescription statin known as Mevocor, which is strictly regulated.

Consequently, supplements containing red yeast rice have basically disappeared from general stores and many supplements containing red yeast extracts have been reformulated. If red yeast does return to the market, it is likely that it will be available only with a prescription.

Benefits of Red Yeast Extract

Red yeast rice extract has a number of heart-healthy benefits which include the following:
  • It seems to help reduce total cholesterol levels, lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and lower levels of unhealthy fats called triglycerides. It appears to accomplish this by restricting the liver's production of cholesterol. The compound responsible for this effectmevinolinis chemically identical to the cholesterol-lowering compound lovastatin, which is sold as the prescription drug Mevacor.

  • Unsaturated fatty acids in red yeast rice extract are also believed to be usefull for lowering triglycerides.

  • By lowering cholesterol concentrations, red yeast rice extract may help to prevent heart disease and associated complications. Individuals with moderately elevated cholesterol levels (200 to 239 mg/dL) may benefit from a dietary supplement such as red yeast rice extract. However, those with very high cholesterol levels (240 mg/dL or above) are at considerable risk for heart disease and should stick to prescription drugs with a proven ability to rapidly and effectively reduce cholesterol levels.

Precautions and Side Effects

If you choose to use red yeast rice as a cholesterol-lowering supplement, it is very important to remember that you are taking a supplement that acts identically in the body to the prescription drug statin. This means you may experience the same side effects (mild gastrointestinal upset and possible changes in liver enzymes, or a muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis). Some research studies have shown red yeast rice to be remarkably safe.

Dosage and Administration

Red yeast rice can be purchased by itself or as a combination product. Many red yeast rice dietary supplements are standardized to 0.4 HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, with 0.3 coming from lovastatin equivalents. A dosage of 2,400 milligrams daily delivers about 9.6 milligrams of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including about 7.2 milligrams of lovastatin equivalents. Red yeast rice usually comes in 600 milligram capsules. A common dose has been 2,400 milligrams daily.

Red yeast should be taken under the guidance of a physician.