Red yeast rice is a product that results from the fermentation of rice using a certain type of yeast. It is commonly used in Asian cooking. When red yeast rice is fermented using certain strains of yeast under specific controlled conditions, it may contain high levels of
lovastatin, a potent
cholesterol-lowering drug, along with similar compounds. Because lovastatin is a prescription medication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers any red yeast rice supplement that contains a significant amount of lovastatin to be "an unapproved drug," not a
dietary supplement.
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-CoA 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 may help
lower cholesterol. It may also contain isoflavones (estrogen-like plant compounds). However, most of the cholesterol-lowering effects of the supplement are probably due to lovastatin or related compounds.
Not all red yeast rice contains lovastatin and other statin-like compounds. Most that is sold for use in food, such as in Asian grocery stores, contains little or no lovastatin. However, many supplements are fermented carefully in order to increase the lovastatin content.
Is Red Yeast Rice Effective?
Red yeast rice seems to work for
lowering cholesterol, as would be expected, because it contains
lovastatin or other
statin-like compounds. Red yeast rice that does not contain lovastatin probably doesn't work well for lowering
cholesterol.
It is difficult to recommend a dose for red yeast rice, because different products contain different amounts of lovastatin.
Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice can cause several side effects, such as:
- Abdominal discomfort (stomach discomfort)
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Gas
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain
- Liver damage.
(Click Red Yeast Rice Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Safety Issues With Red Yeast Rice
The FDA considers any red yeast rice supplement that contains
lovastatin an unapproved drug, not a
dietary supplement. Such supplements can cause any of the problems seen with
statin medications, including liver or muscle damage. Some people are more likely than others to experience problems with it. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the supplement if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is not known what exactly to expect from an overdose with red yeast rice, but it is reasonable to assume that taking too much of this product may cause the usual side effects, but perhaps more severely.
How Should Red Yeast Rice Be Stored?
Refer to the label of your individual product for information on how best to store it.
