Rankings / Cardiovascular & Lipids
Red yeast rice
CV/Lipid · Natural monacolin K source
Tier B-
What this is
Functionally a statin in supplement clothing — patients who refuse 'Big Pharma' statins but take red yeast rice are getting the same mechanism with less dose control and quality variability. EU 2022 limit makes supplements sold there largely inactive. Citrinin contamination testing essential.
Mechanism
Fermented rice contains monacolin K — chemically identical to prescription lovastatin; provides statin-equivalent LDL lowering at lower concentration
Dose & route
600-2400 mg/day standardized product
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19475419/
- https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/monacolins-red-yeast-rice
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7215286/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.