Active Ingredient Red Yeast Rice (monascus Purpureus)

an extract prepared from red yeast (monascus species) fermented on pulverized rice, that produces monacolins which are hydroxymethylglutaryl-coa reductase inhibitors that are used in place of statins such as lovastatin.

Source:

medlineplus herbs and supplements: red yeast rice (monascus purpureus)

Medical Condition	Uses based on scientific evidence	Grade*
chronic ischemic heart disease unspecified	preliminary evidence shows that taking monascus purpureus by mouth may result in cardiovascular benefits and improve blood flow. additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.	c
diabetes mellitus without mention of complication	early human evidence suggests the potential for benefits in diabetics. additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.	c
pure hypercholesterolemia	since the 1970s, human studies have reported that red yeast lowers blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein/ldl ("bad cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels. other products containing red yeast rice extract can still be purchased, mostly over the internet. however, these products may not be standardized and effects are not predictable. for lowering cholesterol, there is better evidence for using prescription drugs such as lovastatin.	a

*Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
B: Good scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
D: Fair scientific evidence against this use;
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use.