
Does red yeast rice help weight loss?
Several studies show that red yeast rice can help control your weight. We know that obesity is one of the risk factors for getting heart disease. Red yeast rice offers the best natural way to control your cholesterol levels. However, more studies need to be carried out before we can say with 100 percent surety that it can help you fight weight loss.
Is red yeast rice bad for kidneys?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that red yeast rice products that contain more than trace amounts of monacolin K are unapproved new drugs and cannot be sold legally as dietary supplements. Some red yeast rice products contain a contaminant called citrinin, which can cause kidney failure.
Is red yeast rice right for You?
The major benefit of red yeast rice and the one that has the most support in the research is its action of lowering or balancing cholesterol. People taking red yeast rice for this purpose found that after 12 weeks of regular supplementation, their cholesterol was reduced. This lower cholesterol has other benefits, too.
How do you make yeast naturally?
The first heating: making the medium Download Article
- Bring 1 cup of water (250 ml) to a boil. Once you have achieved this, remove water from the heat.
- Stir 15 grams (1/2 ounce) of malt extract into the water until it is completely dissolved. Bring it to a boil for another 10-15 minutes.
- Add a packet of gelatin to the wort. ...

Is red yeast rice natural?
Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been purported to lower cholesterol. Several types of the extract are sold as supplements. Red yeast rice may be appealing because it's "natural," but you need to be careful.
Where Does red yeast come from?
Red yeast rice is the product of yeast (Monascus purpureus) grown on white rice. The powdered yeast-rice mixture is a dietary staple in Asia and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Red yeast rice is also available as an oral supplement.
What are the side effects of taking red yeast rice?
Side effects of red yeast rice are rare but can include:Headache.Stomachache or bloating.Gas.Dizziness.Heartburn.Muscle aches and weakness. This can lead to a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Stop taking red yeast rice immediately and call your doctor.
What is the active ingredient in red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice contains the compound monacolin K — the same active ingredient found in prescription cholesterol-lowering medications like lovastatin ( 2 ). For this reason, it's often used as a cost-effective alternative to pricey medications to help reduce cholesterol levels and support heart health.
What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?
7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statinsFibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis. ... Plant stanols and sterols. ... Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins. ... Niacin. ... Policosanol. ... Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) ... Natural products.
What is the best natural supplement to lower cholesterol?
What are the best supplements for lowering cholesterol?Phytosterols.Red yeast rice.Beta-glucans.Flaxseed.Omega-3 fatty acids.Psyllium.Green tea.Risks and side effects.More items...•
Can red yeast rice hurt your liver?
Red yeast rice supplement “has the potential to cause” liver damage, doctors warn. Red yeast rice supplement has the potential to cause liver damage, warn doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports, after a 64-year old woman developed acute liver injury after six weeks of taking the supplement.
How long does it take for red yeast rice to reduce cholesterol?
about 12 weeksThe recommended dose of red yeast rice is 1,200 mg taken orally twice daily with food. In studies, patients started to see a reduction in cholesterol levels at about 12 weeks.
What supplements should not be taken with red yeast rice?
Avoid using red yeast rice together with other herbal/health supplements that can harm your liver, such androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, and others. Grapefruit may interact with red yeast rice and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.
Why do you have to take CoQ10 with red yeast rice?
Side effects of CoQ10 depletion include fatigue, muscle aches and pains, and muscle damage. Red yeast rice also may deplete CoQ10 from the body. It is important to supplement your diet with CoQ10, 150 - 200 mg at night, while you are taking red yeast rice products, and for 4 weeks after you stop taking red yeast rice.
Do you have to take CoQ10 with red yeast rice?
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests a dose of 150 to 200 mg at night to prevent red-yeast-rice-related CoQ10 deficiency. Ultimately, your doctor can determine the most appropriate dose based on your individual circumstances.
Is red yeast rice a statin?
Some red yeast rice products contain substances called monacolins, which are produced by the yeast. Monacolin K is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, which is one of the drugs in the category known as statins.
What supplements should not be taken with red yeast rice?
Avoid using red yeast rice together with other herbal/health supplements that can harm your liver, such androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, and others. Grapefruit may interact with red yeast rice and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.
How long does it take for red yeast rice to get out of your system?
These symptoms are similar to the ones experienced by people with yeast or candida infestations. Therefore, one of the first steps to getting yeast rice out of your system is to stop consuming it. It may take a few days to digest and rid your body of this substance. Drink plenty of fluids to help expedite the process.
Why do you have to take CoQ10 with red yeast rice?
Side effects of CoQ10 depletion include fatigue, muscle aches and pains, and muscle damage. Red yeast rice also may deplete CoQ10 from the body. It is important to supplement your diet with CoQ10, 150 - 200 mg at night, while you are taking red yeast rice products, and for 4 weeks after you stop taking red yeast rice.
What does red yeast rice do for cholesterol?
In clinical trials (studies in people) of red yeast rice products that contained substantial amounts of monacolin K, the products lowered blood levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the so-called bad cholesterol that is linked to increased heart disease risk).
Key Facts
Some red yeast rice products contain substantial amounts of monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. These products may lower blood cholesterol levels and can cause the same types of side effects and drug interactions as lovastatin.
About Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is made by culturing rice with various strains of the yeast Monascus purpureus. Some preparations of red yeast rice are used in food products in Chinese cuisine, including Peking duck. Others have been sold as dietary supplements to lower blood levels of cholesterol and related lipids.
What the Science Says
Red yeast rice products that contain substantial amounts of monacolin K can lower blood cholesterol levels. Researchers have not reported results of any studies of red yeast rice products that contain little or no monacolin K, so whether these products have any effect on blood cholesterol is unknown.
Legal Status of Red Yeast Rice
In 1998, the FDA determined that a red yeast rice product that contained a substantial amount of monacolin K was an unapproved new drug, not a dietary supplement.
For More Information
The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
Key References
Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007. CDC National Health Statistics Repor t #12. 2008.
Acknowledgments
NCCIH thanks the following people for their technical expertise and review of this publication: Ram Gordon, M.D., Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia; Zhaoping Li, Ph.D., M.D., David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles; and Craig Hopp, Ph.D., and John (Jack) Killen, Jr., M.D., NCCIH.
Production
Red yeast rice is produced by cultivating the mold species Monascus purpureus on rice for 3–6 days at room temperature. The rice grains turn bright red at the core and reddish purple on the outside.
Uses
Red yeast rice is used to color a wide variety of food products, including pickled tofu, red rice vinegar, char siu, Peking duck, and Chinese pastries that require red food coloring.
Overview
Red yeast rice is the product of yeast (Monascus purpureus) grown on white rice. The powdered yeast-rice mixture is a dietary staple in Asia and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Our take
Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels and total blood cholesterol levels. While the supplement is generally considered safe, it might carry the same potential side effects as statin cholesterol drugs.
May promote heart health
Heart disease is a serious condition that affects millions and is estimated to account for 31.5% of deaths around the world ( 3 ).
May help treat metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase your risk for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Could reduce inflammation
Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to protect your body against acute infections and foreign invaders.
May have anticancer properties
Although current research is limited to animal and test-tube studies, some evidence suggests that red yeast rice may help reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Legal status
Monacolin K is the active compound found in red yeast rice that is commonly extracted and used in cholesterol-lowering statins and medications.
Side effects
Despite the list of benefits associated with red yeast rice, supplementing with it may come with some adverse effects so it is best to speak with your healthcare professional before taking this supplement.
Medication interactions
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, the key active component that is used to make statin drugs – which are used to lower cholesterol. For this reason, you shouldn’t take red yeast rice if you’re already taking a statin, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
Overview
Red yeast rice is the product of rice fermented with a type of mold. People use red yeast rice as medicine.
How does it work ?
Red yeast rice supplements are made by growing a certain type of mold on rice in a controlled growing environment to allow high levels of the active ingredients to be formed. These active ingredients are the same as the prescription drugs known as "statins."
What is red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice is a product that is made by fermenting red rice with a certain type of yeast. Red yeast rice is also known as Cholestin, Hypocol, Xuezhikang, or Zhitai.
Warnings
Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
How should I take red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice contains an active ingredient called monacolin K, which has the same chemical structure as the active drug in the "statin" cholesterol medicine lovastatin (Advicor, Altoprev, Mevacor ). For this reason, red yeast rice supplements may produce the same side effects and drug interactions as statin cholesterol medications produce.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking red yeast rice?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking red yeast rice.
Red yeast rice side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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Product description
A concentrated, made from certified organic red yeast rice supplement that is standardized to provide consistent quality. CardioTabs Red Yeast Rice is 100% grown and manufactured in the U.S.A. Each batch is carefully monitored and analyzed during production to ensure citrinin content is less than 1 parts per million.
Important information
Do not take more than 4 capsules in a 24-hour period. Do not use if you are pregnant, nursing, have undergone an organ transplant or major surgery within the past 6 weeks. Do not use if you are under age 20.
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