Quick Navigation

Red Yeast Rice

Red Yeast Rice (RYR) is a rice product fermented by bacteria that contains the drug lovastatin, and is currently the most effective naturally occurring statin. It is able, like most statins, to reduce circulating cholesterol levels.

Our evidence-based analysis on red yeast rice features 59 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by .
Reviewed by
Examine.com Team
Last Updated:

Things to Note

Primary Function:

Also Known As

RYR

Do Not Confuse With

Lovastatin (active ingredient), Monascus purpureus (mold used in processing)

  • It appears that the FDA (American) has banned sales of any RYR product with 'non-negligible' levels of Monacolin K/Lovastatin[1] due to the position of Lovastatin as a pharmaceutical drug;[2] this significantly reduces the supposed benefits associated with red yeast extract

Get our free 5-day course on the essentials of supplementation.

At Examine, our incentives line up with yours — getting unbiased information. That's why we don’t sell any advertising or supplements.

Join over 250,000 people who have learned about effective versus overrated supplements, tips for buying supplements, and how to combine supplements for safety and efficacy.

Research Breakdown on Red Yeast Rice

1Skeletal Muscle Interactions

1.1Cholesterol uptake

1.2Myopathy

1.3Hypertrophy

2Interactions with Hormones

2.1Thyroid

3Peripheral Organ Systems

3.1Liver

4Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions

4.1CoQ10

4.2Sterols

4.3Schweinfurthins

5Safety and Toxicology

5.1General

5.2Genotoxicity

5.3Case Studies
Click here to see all 59 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 59 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Red Yeast Rice.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Supplements

Articles

Health Topics

Membership Free Trial

Protein Intake Guide + Calculator

How to read a study

About

Never miss an update!

Your e-mail is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.