What are red yeast rice’s main benefits?

In clinical trials, RYR consistently demonstrates the ability to improve lipid profiles in people with dyslipidemia. RYR seems to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyercides, total cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B; it also seems to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.^[1][2] Overall, RYR is thought to reduce LDL cholesterol by 15 to 25% within 6 to 8 weeks, and its effect on lipid profiles is comparable to moderate-intensity statin medications (first-line cholesterol-lowering medications).^[3][1] RYR may improve markers of atherosclerosis and protect against major adverse cardiac events; however, most of this research has been conducted in Chinese populations, and its generalizability to other populations is not clearly established.^[4][5][6] RYR may also reduce systemic inflammation, as suggested by reductions in C-reactive protein, although this effect is less thoroughly researched.^[7][8][9]