chinese red yeast rice

Chinese red yeast rice is a traditional Chinese product made by fermenting white rice with the mold Monascus purpureus. It has been used for centuries both as a food and in traditional medicine. The fermentation process produces several compounds called monacolins—most notably monacolin K—which is chemically identical to lovastatin, a prescription statin drug used to lower cholesterol. Red yeast rice also contains sterols, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fatty acids that may contribute to its lipid-lowering effects. Its primary indication is for lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving heart health; it has also been proposed for use in reducing triglycerides and possibly preventing heart attacks[1][2][3][7]. However, the content of active ingredients can vary widely between products due to differences in manufacturing processes[4][8]. The US FDA considers products with significant amounts of statin-like compounds as unapproved drugs[2][7]. Side effects are similar to those of statins (muscle pain/weakness, liver toxicity), and some products may be contaminated with citrinin—a nephrotoxic mycotoxin produced during fermentation[1][4][8].

Brand names

CholestinHypocolXuezhikangZhitai

Other names

red yeast ricehong qured fermented riceMonascus purpureus-fermented rice