Evidence brief · Supplement
Red Yeast Rice for LDL cholesterol
Evidence grade A — Contains a statin
- Overall grade
- Grade A
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
Assembled by the app from other entries in this library. It adds no evidence of its own — follow the links to the entries it draws on.
1 at grade A — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- LDL cholesterolEvidence grade A
Contains a statin
Moderatehigh
The evidence in words
The verdict
For ldl cholesterol, Red Yeast Rice earns evidence grade A (moderate effect, high consistency) — there is real evidence here. Contains a statin
How it might work
Monacolin K inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis — exactly like pharmaceutical statins.
How to use it
If used, treat it as a statin — under a clinician, with a tested product, and with the same monitoring. Prescription statins are the safer, dose-controlled route to the same effect.
Safety & cautions
Statin-class risks (myopathy, liver enzymes) plus contamination and dose-variability concerns. The same interactions as statins apply, including CoQ10 depletion.
Bottom line
It works because it's a statin — which means it carries statin risks with none of the dose control. If you want the effect, a prescribed statin is the safer, cheaper path.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Statin-equivalent
- Treat as a statin — tested product, medical monitoring.
Goes with
- Red Yeast RiceRead the full Red Yeast Rice monographEvidence grade B
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Red Yeast Rice for Cardiovascular eventsEvidence grade B — One large trial positiveEvidence grade B
- Artichoke Leaf Extract for LDL cholesterolEvidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) for DyslipidemiaEvidence grade C — AdjunctEvidence grade C
- Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) for HDLEvidence grade C — Modest riseEvidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own — it is assembled from the entries it links to, whose sources are on their pages.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.