What are red yeast rice’s main benefits?

    Last Updated: January 4, 2024

    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]

    References

    1. ^Li P, Wang Q, Chen K, Zou S, Shu S, Lu C, Wang S, Jiang Y, Fan C, Luo YRed Yeast Rice for Hyperlipidemia: A Meta-Analysis of 15 High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials.Front Pharmacol.(2021)
    2. ^Rahmani P, Melekoglu E, Tavakoli S, Malekpour Alamdari N, Rohani P, Sohouli MHImpact of red yeast rice supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol.(2023-Jan)
    3. ^Arrigo F G Cicero, Federica Fogacci, Alberto ZambonRed Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia: JACC Focus SeminarJ Am Coll Cardiol.(2021 Feb 9)
    4. ^Wang S, Chen Y, Wang R, Ma B, Wang Z, Tang G, Wang S, He Y, Qu LEffectiveness of red yeast rice on carotid atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
    5. ^Yuan R, Yuan Y, Wang L, Xin Q, Wang Y, Shi W, Miao Y, Leng SX, Chen K, Cong W,Red Yeast Rice Preparations Reduce Mortality, Major Cardiovascular Adverse Events, and Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
    6. ^Sungthong B, Yoothaekool C, Promphamorn S, Phimarn WEfficacy of red yeast rice extract on myocardial infarction patients with borderline hypercholesterolemia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Sci Rep.(2020-Feb-17)
    7. ^Li JJ, Hu SS, Fang CH, Hui RT, Miao LF, Yang YJ, Gao RLEffects of xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, on lipid profile and C-reactive protein: a short-term time course study in patients with stable angina.Clin Chim Acta.(2005-Feb)
    8. ^Zhao SP, Liu L, Cheng YC, Shishehbor MH, Liu MH, Peng DQ, Li YLXuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, protects endothelial function through antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering mechanisms in patients with coronary heart disease.Circulation.(2004-Aug-24)
    9. ^Liu L, Zhao SP, Cheng YC, Li YLXuezhikang decreases serum lipoprotein(a) and C-reactive protein concentrations in patients with coronary heart disease.Clin Chem.(2003-Aug)