title: Red yeast rice for dysipidemia.
abstract: Red yeast rice is an ancient Chinese food product that contains monacolins, chemical substances that are similar to statins in their mechanisms of action and lipid lowering properties. Several studies have found red yeast rice to be moderately effective at improving the lipid profile, particularly for lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. One large randomized controlled study from China found that red yeast rice significantly improved risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and overall survival in patients following myocardial infarction. Thus, red yeast rice is a potentially useful over-the-counter cholesterol-lowering agent. However, many red yeast rice formulations are non-standardized and unregulated food supplements, and there is a need for further research and regulation of production.
authors.affiliation: Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, USA.
authors.forename: Shariq
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shamim
authors.forename: Firas J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Al Badarin
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: DiNicolantonio
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; C117343:red yeast rice