Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is a fermented rice product made by fermenting Monascus purpureus over red rice. It has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to improve blood circulation, lower cholesterol, and improve digestion. In addition, it has shown to benefit inflammation, metabolic syndrome, blood sugar levels, and more.
Red yeast rice products that have considerable amounts of monacolin K may effectively lower blood cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure, and may reduce the risk of heart problems and death in people with metabolic syndrome. Several studies have shown that red yeast rice products can be beneficial in lowering serum cholesterol levels, but they are not without risk.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, consuming 3–10 milligrams (mg) of monacolin K daily may have low associated risks. The recommended dosage is a standardized extract of 600 mg, 2 to 4 times daily. However, supplementing with red yeast rice may come with some adverse effects such as headache, stomachache or bloating, gas, dizziness, heartburn, muscle aches, and weakness. In rare cases, it can lead to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. People with liver disease, and those at risk for liver disease should not take red yeast rice.
One case study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements showed that red yeast rice was effective in reducing total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides after 12 weeks of treatment. Another study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that red yeast rice improved lipid profiles in patients with hypercholesterolemia. However, these studies have not been repeated, and more research is required before doctors actively prescribe red yeast rice for metabolic syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed that red yeast rice supplementation was safe and did not increase the risk of adverse events.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/red-yeast-rice https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/red-yeast-rice https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697909/https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/red-yeast-ricehttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/red-yeast-ricehttps://supplements.selfdecode.com/blog/red-yeast-rice/
