monacolin K-rich red yeast rice

**Monacolin K-rich red yeast rice** is a dietary supplement derived from rice fermented by Monascus species fungi and specifically formulated or selected to have high levels of monacolin K, a compound structurally identical to the pharmaceutical statin drug lovastatin. Its primary indication is the management of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia); it inhibits the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, thus reducing endogenous cholesterol synthesis. Monacolin K-rich red yeast rice may also have effects on blood glucose and cardiovascular risk, though most clinical use centers on lipid-lowering. The supplement may have variable composition, often containing other monacolins and fermentation byproducts such as citrinin, a potential nephrotoxin. U.S. regulatory authorities consider products with high monacolin K content to be unapproved drugs rather than dietary supplements and restrict their sale. The product is used primarily for hypercholesterolemia and is not regulated to pharmaceutical standards, with batch-to-batch variability in monacolin K levels.[1][3][5][9]

Brand names

Cholestin

Other names

red yeast rice high in monacolin Kred yeast rice standardized to monacolin Kmonacolin K–enriched red yeast ricemonacolin K-rich RYR