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Red Yeast Rice
Assessment and Plan: Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice studies have yielded reductions (20-31%) of LDL (low density lipoprotein) and total cholesterol similar to pravastatin (a prescription cholesterol lowering statin drug). The studies mentioned had a wide variability in dosages between 200 mg to 4800 mg per day. The 1200 mg per day dose appears to be the most common.
Unfortunately, the red yeast rice supplements tested by Sabater-Vilar M et al found that all of them contained the carcinogen citrinin (5) and Heber, D et al found that 7 of 9 brands contained citrinin (6). Citrinin is a carcinogen known to have a dose dependent mutagenicity (5). If red yeast rice is purchased for any reason, ensure that the product is tested to be citrinin free
An additional concern is that the total amount of active ingredients varied from 0% to 0.58% in the red yeast rice products (6), and there is currently no accurate standardization for this product.
Red yeast rice may also have adverse effects much like statin prescription drugs such as myalgias, and elevation of liver function tests.
The risk of red yeast rice products (in spite of new citrinin-free products) outweigh the benefit until more thorough testing and standardization is completed.
