title: HypoCol (red yeast rice) lowers plasma cholesterol - a randomized placebo controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary endpoint in our study was to investigate the effect of a red yeast rice (RYR) product on plasma lipids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study was performed. Patients were randomized to either RYR (HypoCol, 4 capsules/day) (n=22) or placebo (n=20) for 16 weeks. Inclusion criteria were male or female, 18-75 years, LDL-cholesterol between 3.0 and 6.0 mmol/L, fasting triglyceride level less than 4.5 mmol/L.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients receiving RYR experienced a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol (23.0%) and total cholesterol (15.5%) compared to placebo after 16 weeks of treatment (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tested red yeast rice product demonstrated a significant cholesterol lowering effect compared to placebo, and was well tolerated in this Caucasian population.
authors.affiliation: Lipid Clinic, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. martin.proven.bogsrud@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Martin Prøven
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bogsrud
authors.forename: Leiv
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ose
authors.forename: Gisle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Langslet
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ottestad
authors.forename: Ellen Charlotte
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Strøm
authors.forename: Tor-Arne
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hagve
authors.forename: Kjetil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Retterstøl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014280:Triglycerides; C117343:red yeast rice