Red Yeast Rice

Fermented rice containing natural statins that helps lower cholesterol, supports heart health, and promotes cardiovascular wellness

Scientific nameMonascus purpureus FormulaComplex monacolins and sterols Molecular weightVariable bioactive compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds

80 absorption score

6 safety / 10

35 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Red Yeast Rice with:

82 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Cholesterol reduction and lipid management

Significantly lowers total and LDL cholesterol levels

Monacolin K (natural lovastatin) inhibits HMG-CoA reductase Evidence A-grade 6-12 weeks

Cardiovascular health and heart protection

Supports overall heart health and reduces cardiovascular risk

Cholesterol lowering and anti-inflammatory effects protect arteries Evidence A-grade 8-16 weeks

Arterial health and circulation support

Improves arterial function and circulation

Reduces arterial plaque formation and improves endothelial function Evidence B-grade 12-24 weeks

Anti-inflammatory cardiovascular effects

Reduces inflammation in cardiovascular system

Multiple compounds provide anti-inflammatory effects Evidence B-grade 6-12 weeks

Triglyceride reduction

May help reduce triglyceride levels

Affects lipid metabolism and VLDL production Evidence C-grade 8-16 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Heart & brain health 1-2g EPA/DHA A 85% Psyllium Husk Digestive health & cholesterol support 5-15g A 95% Calcium Citrate Superior absorption bone & heart health 500-1200 mg A 45% Taurine Cardiovascular & exercise support 1-3g A 95% L-Citrulline Athletic performance & circulation 3-8g A 95%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Red Yeast Rice + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Red Yeast Rice + Vitamin D3 Enhanced cholesterol management Works better together 78

Red Yeast Rice + Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Reduced muscle side effects and enhanced heart health Works better together 82

Red Yeast Rice + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula Enhanced cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits Works better together 82

Dosage

With evening meals

Daily1200-2400mg

Cholesterol reduction1200-2400mg daily

Cardiovascular prevention1200-2400mg daily

Mild hyperlipidemia1200mg daily

Maintenance600-1200mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects6-8 weeks for initial cholesterol reduction

Peak Benefits12-20 weeks for sustained cholesterol and cardiovascular benefits

Deficiency DevelopmentReturn to baseline cholesterol levels

Toxicity OnsetMuscle symptoms may occur within weeks

How to measure it

$100-150

MarkerLipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), liver enzymes, CK

OptimalImproved cholesterol levels, normal liver function and CK

Deficient belowNot applicable for supplement

FrequencyMonitor lipids every 6-12 weeks, liver enzymes every 3 months

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 154 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Pain 22

Asthenia 17

Myalgia 14

Fatigue 12

Dyspnoea 12

Named as the suspect 154 reports of 229 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 76% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event103

Visited a Health Care Provider51

Hospitalization44

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Very high 80 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound

Delivered daily 1440 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.08 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Coq10

Reduced muscle side effects and enhanced heart health

CoQ10 prevents statin-induced CoQ10 depletion · level A

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Enhanced cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits

Both support heart health through different pathways · level A

Niacin

Enhanced cholesterol management

Both improve lipid profiles through different mechanisms · level B

What not to take with Red Yeast Rice

2 documented

Prescription Statins

Dangerous duplication of statin effects

Both inhibit same enzyme causing additive effects · major significance

High Cholesterol Diet

May reduce effectiveness of cholesterol lowering

Dietary cholesterol may overwhelm cholesterol reduction · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

statin-medications Major

NEVER combine - dangerous duplication of effects

What to do: Choose one or the other, never both

cyclosporine Major

May increase risk of muscle toxicity

What to do: Avoid combination

gemfibrozil Major

Increased risk of muscle problems

What to do: Avoid combination or monitor closely

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Standardized Red Yeast Rice (2.4-3mg monacolin K) 85

Citrinin-Free Red Yeast Rice 80

Traditional Red Yeast Rice 75

Monacolin-Depleted Red Yeast Rice 70

Standardized Red Yeast Rice (2.4-3mg monacolin K): Standardized potency, Clinical research, Consistent effects, Quality controlled

Citrinin-Free Red Yeast Rice: Toxin-free, Safer, Quality assured, Better processing

Traditional Red Yeast Rice: Traditional form, More affordable, Widely available, Complete spectrum

Monacolin-Depleted Red Yeast Rice: Lower cost, Fewer side effects, Regulatory compliant, Available

Food sources

before you supplement

Traditional red yeast rice Fermented rice, variable monacolin content · 70

Red yeast rice extract supplements 1200-2400mg per capsule · 80-85

Red yeast rice powder Variable concentration · 75

Not found in other foods Specific fermentation process required · N/A

Too little

deficiency signs

Not essential - but symptoms addressed by red yeast rice:
High cholesterol and elevated LDL levels
Poor cardiovascular health markers
Increased risk of heart disease
Arterial plaque formation
Poor circulation and endothelial dysfunction
Elevated cardiovascular inflammation

Too much

toxicity signs

Similar to prescription statins:
Muscle pain, weakness, and myopathy
Liver function abnormalities
Kidney problems with severe myopathy
Digestive upset and nausea

Who benefits most

high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia

Excellent for reducing elevated cholesterol and LDL levels

1200-2400mg daily

cardiovascular-disease-prevention

Effective for preventing heart disease and protecting arteries

1200-2400mg daily

statin-intolerant-patients

May be alternative for those who cannot tolerate prescription statins

1200mg daily

metabolic-syndrome

Supports lipid management in metabolic syndrome

1200-2400mg daily

family-history-heart-disease

Preventive support for those with genetic cardiovascular risk

1200mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Red Yeast Rice at 1200-2400mg per serving. The form that matters here is Standardized Red Yeast Rice (2.4-3mg monacolin K).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

High cholesterol diet

May reduce effectiveness of cholesterol lowering

Dietary cholesterol may overwhelm cholesterol reduction

How it works

Monacolin K inhibits HMG-CoA reductase reducing cholesterol synthesis
Decreases LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol production
May improve HDL cholesterol levels
Anti-inflammatory effects protect arterial walls
Reduces oxidative stress in cardiovascular system
May improve endothelial function and circulation

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Strong evidence for cholesterol reduction equal to low-dose statins
Effective for cardiovascular disease prevention
Monitor for muscle side effects like prescription statins
Quality and potency vary dramatically between products

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Red Yeast Rice?

Documented effects: Cholesterol reduction and lipid management; Cardiovascular health and heart protection; Arterial health and circulation support; Anti-inflammatory cardiovascular effects. Significantly lowers total and LDL cholesterol levels

How much Red Yeast Rice should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1200-2400mg. By goal — cholesterol reduction: 1200-2400mg daily; cardiovascular prevention: 1200-2400mg daily; mild hyperlipidemia: 1200mg daily; maintenance: 600-1200mg daily.

When is the best time to take Red Yeast Rice?

With evening meals. First effects are typically reported within 6-8 weeks for initial cholesterol reduction.

What are the side effects of Red Yeast Rice?

At excessive doses: Similar to prescription statins:, Muscle pain, weakness, and myopathy, Liver function abnormalities, Kidney problems with severe myopathy, Digestive upset and nausea. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with Red Yeast Rice?

Separate it from Prescription Statins, High Cholesterol Diet by two to four hours. Dangerous duplication of statin effects

Does Red Yeast Rice interact with medications?

Documented interactions with statin-medications, cyclosporine, gemfibrozil. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Red Yeast Rice?

The marker is Lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), liver enzymes, CK, optimal range Improved cholesterol levels, normal liver function and CK. Common deficiency signs: Not essential - but symptoms addressed by red yeast rice:, High cholesterol and elevated LDL levels, Poor cardiovascular health markers, Increased risk of heart disease.

Taken for

52 Heart

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) · EPA · Olive Oil Extract