Red yeast rice was and still is an ingredient valued for its powerful medicinal properties, especially in relation to cholesterol values. Red rice yeast is a leading natural remedy used for lowering cholesterol, mainly because it contains powerful active substances. Red rice yeast is actually a type of fermented rice, which is obtained by using certain species of mould. Thus, red rice yeast contains a chemical compound called monacolin K, an active ingredient found in certain medicines prescribed to lower cholesterol.


Cardiovascular disease is responsible for a large percentage of deaths worldwide. High cholesterol, one of the main risk factors for heart disease, can cause narrowing of the arteries and loss of flexibility, leading to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.


Red yeast rice (the product of a fungus, Monascus purpureus, which grows on white rice) is commonly used as a natural remedy to lower cholesterol and help support heart health, especially as it has fewer side effects than some drugs.


A small study of 25 people showed that red rice yeast lowered total cholesterol, on average, by up to 15% and lowered bad (LDL) cholesterol by up to 21% in almost two months of treatment.


Similar to other research on the subject, an 8-week study of 79 people showed that taking a 600 mg dose of red rice yeast twice a day significantly lowered bad cholesterol compared to the control group.