Red Yeast Rice Study Shows Promise for Dyslipidemia

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There is hope for those that have elevated cholesterol but can not take statins because of pain. A recently published study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, June 16, 2009 issue found red yeast rice and a therapeutic lifestyle change to significantly lower LDL-cholesterol levels in patients that are intolerant to statins. The Chinese have been using red yeast rice for centuries to treat blood circulation, gastric issues, spleen and stomach health. The yeast, Monascus purpureus, grows on rice and produces monacolins which collectively give us red yeast rice. The monacolin you may be familiar with is lovastatin, Mevacor, produced by Merck & Co. Lovastatin comes from “monacolin K” which is a powerful inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.

The lead investigator Dr. Becker started studying red yeast rice after several of his patients switched to red yeast rice and stopped taking their statins due to mucsle pain. The patients did not suffer adverse effects to their lipid profiles. Dr. Becker designed a study with 62 patients with dyslipidemia and a history of stopping statin therapy due to myalgias (muscle pain). The patients were randomized to receive 1800 mg of red yeast rice or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. All patients were enrolled in a 12-week therapeutic lifestyle-change program that included eating a Mediterranean-based diet, an exercise program, and relaxation techniques.

Following 12 weeks of treatment, LDL- and total-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the red-yeast-rice group when compared with the placebo-treated patients. HDL-cholesterol levels were unchanged with treatment, and triglyceride levels were not significantly different between treatments. LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels increased slightly from weeks 12 to 24, the investigators attribute this because the lifestyle intervention program ended and adherence to therapy declined.

Dr. Becker mentioned the daily amount of red yeast rice in the study amounted to 6 mg of lovastatin. The normal does of lovastatin is 20 mg to 40 mg. Dr. Becker said the benefit of the red yeast rice goes beyond the “monacolin K” contained and its effectiveness may also be from the numerous other monacolins. All the monacolins in red yeast rice might work to lower LDL-cholesterol levels without causing recurrent muscle pain. Further research is necessary, but red yeast rice may be a good alternative to traditional statin therapies.

There are two things you need to do before you run out and buy red yeast rice. First, talk with your physician especially if you are already on a statin because these two should not be combined without your doctor’s supervision. Second, you get what you pay for…check consumerlab.com and you will find that there is a huge quality disparity between brands. Your local health food store will be able to help you pick a quality brand.