Cholesterol, High Cholesterol

Red yeast rice and cholesterol:

Red yeast rice, made by fermenting a type of red yeast called Monascus purpureus over rice, contains Monacolin K which is chemically similar to lovastatin, a prescription drug used to treat high cholesterol. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of red yeast supplements containing lovastatin as over-the-counter supplements. Only red yeast supplements without Monacolin K were made available without a prescription. However, dietary supplements are not highly regulated and a review of 12 common brands of red yeast revealed the quantity of Monacolin K varied from 0.10 mg to 10.09 mg per capsule. (130) Red yeast rice is often used to lower cholesterol and tryglycerides. Unfortunately, red yeast rice products have been found to contain citrinin, a toxic by-product of the fermentation process.