Red yeast rice may help lower cholesterol because it can contain large amounts of lovastatin. This eMedTV Web page offers an overview of red yeast rice, including information on how the product is fermented, possible side effects, and precautions.
Red yeast rice supplements are primarily used for lowering cholesterol. However, as this eMedTV article explains, these supplements are considered "unapproved drugs," rather than dietary supplements. This page describes other red yeast rice benefits.
This eMedTV page addresses the question, "Does red yeast rice work?" Red yeast rice supplements can be fermented to contain an effective cholesterol medication. However, this page explains why companies that make these supplements are not reputable.
Red yeast rice may increase liver enzymes and can severely break down muscle tissue. This eMedTV Web article takes an in-depth look at other risks of red yeast rice and explains why the FDA considers red yeast rice to be an "unapproved drug."
Heartburn, gas, and dizziness are possible side effects that may occur when taking red yeast rice. This eMedTV resource discusses other possible red yeast rice side effects, including those that may require immediate medical attention.
As this eMedTV page explains, the red yeast rice dosage that was used in studies for treating high cholesterol was 1200 mg twice daily. This page offers other red yeast rice dosing information, including why it may be unsafe to use this product.
Certain antibiotics, fibrates, and grapefruit juice can negatively interact with red yeast rice. This eMedTV resource lists other substances that can cause red yeast rice drug interactions and describes the complications these interactions may cause.
This eMedTV Web page explains that the exact effects of a red yeast rice overdose are not known. However, as this article discusses, red yeast rice products may contain contaminants that can cause serious problems in the case of an overdose.
It may not be safe to use red yeast rice products during pregnancy. This eMedTV resource further discusses red yeast rice and pregnancy, explaining why a certain component of red yeast rice may cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy.
This selection from the eMedTV Web site explains that women should not take red yeast rice when breastfeeding. Red yeast rice may contain lovastatin, a prescription cholesterol medication that can cause serious problems when used while breastfeeding.
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