Red yeast rice (RYR) is the fermentation product of red yeast (Monascus purpureus) grown on rice. It is a dietary staple in some Asian countries and its medicinal use has been documented in an ancient Chinese pharmacopoeia dating back to 800 A.D. RYR was traditionally used for indigestion, diarrhea, colic, hypertension, circulatory, spleen and stomach health; however, after the discovery of its ability to influence cholesterol production it has primarily been used to support healthy cholesterol levels.
RYR naturally contains a group of 10 compounds known as monacolins that have cholesterol lowering properties. The primary monacolin, identified as monacolin K, has been shown to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that is important for the production of cholesterol by the liver. By inhibiting this enzyme, RYR reduces cholesterol production by the body. RYR also naturally contains phytosterols; isoflavones and isoflavone glycosides; and monounsaturated fatty acids which may work through a variety of mechanisms to support healthy cholesterol levels.
Individual results can vary based on genetics and whether a diet and exercise regimen accompanies supplement use. However, in general, clinical studies have shown benefits as early as 2-4 weeks with a concentrated RYR extract given in a dose of 600 mg-1,200 mg, twice daily. Other studies have found benefits after 8 and 12 weeks of continuous supplement use.
Increase the dose of RYR by 1 additional serving daily and incorporate dietary changes and an exercise regimen if you haven’t already done so.
Each individual is unique; therefore, the amount of cholesterol reduction will not be the same for everyone. In addition, not all RYR products contain the same concentration of the cholesterol-lowering ingredients, which can also influence effectiveness. However, in general, concentrated RYR extracts can reduce total cholesterol levels by 10-30%.
Some, but not all, studies have reported an increase in HDL or “good”cholesterol while most studies have shown that LDL or “bad” cholesterol drops by an average of 10-20%.
Most studies have shown an average 15-25% reduction in triglycerides.
Most studies on RYR have safely used doses of 600 mg or 1200 mg of the concentrated extract twice daily, or the powdered form taken up to 5 g (5,000 mg) daily.
The traditional use of RYR as a dietary staple for thousands of years without reports of toxicity support its long term safety. In clinical studies, few adverse reactions were reported with the most commonly cited events being abdominal discomfort, flatulence and heartburn.
Yes; there is no need to reduce the dosage if you want to stop taking the product.
Yes; you need to regularly take RYR to keep cholesterol levels from going back to the level before you started taking the product.
At this time, there are no known supplements that would interfere with RYR.
No. Although grapefruit products might theoretically increase blood levels of the active component of RYR (i.e., monacolin-K) this interaction should only be a concern for individuals taking high doses of the drug lovastatin. Grapefruit can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 metabolism of numerous drugs including lovastatin, which can increase blood levels too high.
RYR should be avoided by people with liver dysfunction, risk of liver dysfunction, or abnormal liver function. RYR should not be combined with alcohol or drugs that increase the risk of liver damage (e.g., acarbose, gemfibrozil, methotrexate, rosiglitazone, nicotinic acid)
No. Combining RYR with cholesterol lowering medications is not recommended unless approved or supervised by your physician.
No. Lovastatin is a synthetic and concentrated drug that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although monacolin-K, the chemical found in RYR, is chemically similar to lovastatin, RYR products do not contain a purified and concentrated amount of monacolin-K. Rather, RYR products provide naturally occurring amounts of monacolins, in combination with other actives.
No. RYR is a dietary staple in many Asian countries and is considered a dietary supplement in the United States and abroad.
No. RYR is available at pharmacies and health food stores as a dietary supplement that can be purchased without a prescription.
The FDA does not allow RYR products to specifically state the amount of active ingredients, such as monacolin-K on the product label. RYR products were originally developed to contain higher than usual amounts of naturally occurring monacolin-K and listed this as such on the product label. Because of the similarity of monacolin-K and lovastatin, the FDA considered RYR extract products unapproved drugs and were taken off the United States market in 2001. Now RYR products offer the traditional powder rather than standardized extract without specifying the amount of naturally occurring active ingredients.
No. Although RYR originated from China and has been used there for centuries, Weider® RYR is made in the United States.
RYR is made from the fermentation of red yeast (Monascus purpureus) grown on rice. The raw material is then encapsulated in a certified manufacturing facility in the United States and packaged for sale as a dietary supplement.
Yes. Researchers have actively studied RYR for over 3 decades. Test tube, animal and human clinical research have shown that RYR has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels.