The Recommended Dosage of Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice has served as both a source of nutrition and medicine in China for thousands of years. It contains chemical components similar to statins – a commonly prescribed class of medications used to treat elevated cholesterol levels. Because of this similarity, it has demonstrated essentially equal effectiveness in lowering cholesterol levels. Some dosage guidelines have been established based on clinical trials, but you should not use this supplement without the supervision of your physician. Just as with drugs, herbal remedies can carry the risk of negative effects, particularly a supplement like this one, with similar ingredients and potency as a prescription treatment.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Suggested Dosages
Clinical studies looking at the effects of red yeast rice on cholesterol have typically used a dosage of 600 mg two to four times daily, for a maximum dosage of 2.4 g. However, the supplement used in most clinical trials was taken off the market due to its similarity to prescription statins. Natural supplements do not need to comply with the same strict regulations as prescription drugs. This means that a supplement might not contain the stated amount of the active components. In some cases, it might have less, making it less effective, or it might have more, making it potentially dangerous. The actual amount of the cholesterol-lowering agent in red yeast rice products could vary considerably. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance on finding a quality product.
- Clinical studies looking at the effects of red yeast rice on cholesterol have typically used a dosage of 600 mg two to four times daily, for a maximum dosage of 2.4 g. However, the supplement used in most clinical trials was taken off the market due to its similarity to prescription statins.
- This means that a supplement might not contain the stated amount of the active components.
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation
Statins Vs. Red Yeast Rice
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Statin drugs can lower your body’s levels of coenzymeQ10, a nutrient vital to heart and muscle health. This potential deficiency could increase certain side effects of statin drugs, like muscle pain, and put heart health at risk. Because of the similarity between the drugs and the herb, red yeast rice might pose the same problem 1. Many products contain coenzymeQ10 to compensate for this negative effect.
- Statin drugs can lower your body’s levels of coenzymeQ10, a nutrient vital to heart and muscle health.
- This potential deficiency could increase certain side effects of statin drugs, like muscle pain, and put heart health at risk.
Side Effects
According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, clinical trials have not found any significant side effects associated with red yeast rice. Since it contains similar agents as prescription statins, you could potentially suffer similar adverse effects, with some being quite significant. .
Other Considerations
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Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes a case report of a woman suffering severe hepatitis after supplementing with the herb for four months 2. It also reports an analysis of several red yeast rice products found that contained high amounts of the toxin citrinin.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes a case report of a woman suffering severe hepatitis after supplementing with the herb for four months 2.
Related Articles
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Red Yeast Rice Information
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Red Yeast Rice; August 2010
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Red yeast rice. Updated March 19, 2018.
- Farkouh A, Baumgärtel C. Mini-review: medication safety of red yeast rice products. Int J Gen Med. 2019;12:167-171. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S202446
- Mount Sinai. Red yeast rice.
- Klimek M, Wang S, Ogunkanmi A. Safety and efficacy of red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) as an alternative therapy for hyperlipidemia. PT. 2009;34(6):313-27.
- Houston M. The role of nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of dyslipidemia. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14(2):121-32. doi:10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00576.x
- Klimek M, Wang S, Ogunkanmi A. "Safety and efficacy of red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) as an alternative therapy for hyperlipidemia." P T. 2009 Jun;34(6):313-27.
- National Institutes of Health. "Red yeast: MedlinePlus Supplements." February 2015.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Products Promoted on Internet as Treatments for High Cholesterol." August 2007.
- Yang CW, Mousa SA. "The effect of red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) in dyslipidemia and other disorders." Complement Ther Med. 2012 Dec;20(6):466-74.
Writer Bio
Kelli Cooper has been a writer since 2009, specializing in health and fitness. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers University and is a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise.