Red Yeast Rice
Feb 16, 2025
Red Yeast Rice
Gen:
Red yeast rice has been used for centuries in China as both food and medicine. It is made by fermenting a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus over red rice.
Mechanism of Action:
Red yeast rice contains chemicals that are similar to prescription statin medications. One of these, called monacolin K, has the same makeup as the drug lovastatin.
Dosage:
Most studies have used standardized extract: 600 mg, 2-4 times daily.
Precautions:
People with liver disease, and those at risk for liver disease, should not take red yeast rice. Red yeast rice may affect the function in the same way pre-scription drugs to lower cholesterol can.
Interactions:
If you take a statin, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the amount of the drug in your blood. That can give you a greater chance of side effects and liver damage.
Because red yeast rice may act like statins in the body, you should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking red yeast rice.
Additionally, red yeast rice also may lower amounts of CoQ10 in the body. CoQ10 is very important in heart and muscle health and in energy production.
Read more