Benefits of Red Yeast Rice (Cont.)

How Does Red Yeast Rice Work?

As mentioned, when fermented under certain conditions with specific strains of yeast, red yeast rice may contain significant amounts of mevinic acids, including lovastatin. Lovastatin is an HMG-Co reductase inhibitor, more commonly known as a statin. Statins work by blocking HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol.
 
Red yeast rice may also contain plant sterols, such as beta-sitosterol, which are compounds that can help lower cholesterol. It may also contain isoflavones (estrogen-like plant compounds). However, most of the cholesterol-lowering effects of red yeast rice are probably due to lovastatin or related compounds.
 

Red Yeast Rice Use in Children

Red yeast rice that is used in food, not in supplements, is probably safe for children. Supplements, however, are not recommended for children.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;