Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is rice fermented with the mold Monascus purpureus. It contains monacolin K, a compound chemically identical to the drug lovastatin.
Also listed as RYR, Red Rice Yeast, Red Rice Yeast Powder, Red Rice Yeast Extract
How large is the cholesterol effect?
A meta-analysis published in 2023 pooled 24 randomized treatment arms in adults. LDL cholesterol fell by about 29 mg/dL on average; total cholesterol and triglycerides also fell. These results describe the tested preparations, not a predictable effect from any bottle labeled red yeast rice. 1 2
The pooled trials support LDL lowering, but product composition limits transfer to an unspecified supplement. 1 2
Why did reassuring trials not settle safety?
EFSA’s 2025 review explains that many trials were too small and short to detect uncommon harms, and some did not adequately report adverse events. It could not establish safety below 3 mg of monacolins daily or identify a safe daily intake. 3
Other questions
This profile does not assess blood-pressure or liver-benefit claims.
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Essential Health1 effect
Cardiovascular1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Adverse findings
Ratings where the reported effect was unfavourable.
All studies
3 publications are linked to Red Yeast Rice, newest first.
Sources
- Impact of red yeast rice supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2023 · Study record