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Review
. 2019 Jul-Sep;15(3):192-199.
doi: 10.14797/mdcj-15-3-192.

Red Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia

Arrigo F G Cicero  1   2 , Federica Fogacci  1 , Maciej Banach  3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Red Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia

Arrigo F G Cicero et al. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2019 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

The extract of red yeast rice (RYR) is the most effective cholesterol-lowering nutraceutical on the market. In particular, its effectiveness is directly related to the amount of monacolin K within the extract (up to 10 mg/day). Consuming monacolin K on a daily basis reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol plasma levels between 15% and 25% within 6 to 8 weeks. Certainly, the decrease in LDL-cholesterol is accompanied by a similar reduction in total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma apolipoprotein B, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Furthermore, the RYR lipid-lowering effect is associated with significant improvements in pulse wave velocity and endothelial function, which are validated and reliable biomarker tools able to detect vascular aging. Although it has a mechanism of action similar to statins, a daily consumption of between 3 and 10 mg monacolin K has only minimal associated risks, and mild myalgias are seen only in the frailest patients (those who also cannot tolerate minimal dosages of statin). The monacolin K found in RYR is a safe and effective supplement for managing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia in people with no additional cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords: lipid-lowering supplement; monacolin k; nutraceutical; red yeast rice.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Dr. Banach conducts research on behalf of Sanofi and Valeant and is a consultant for Abbott/Mylan, Abbott Vascular, Actavis Generics, Akcea Therapeutics, Amgen, Biofarm, KRKA, MSD Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, Valeant, Daiichi Sankyo, Esperion Therapeutics, Eli Lilly, and Resverlogix Corp.; Dr. Cicero is a consultant for Amgen, Menarini Group, Mylan, and Sanofi; and Dr. Fogacci is a consultant for Mylan.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Main cholesterol-lowering mechanism of action of red yeast rice.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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