Red yeast rice

Blood cholesterol and total cholesterol levels can both be reduced by consuming red yeast rice. Despite being usually regarded as safe, the supplement may have the same adverse effects as statin cholesterol medications.

Monacolin K is present in some red yeast rice products in significant amounts. This molecule has a chemical similarity with the lovastatin active component, a medication used to decrease cholesterol. This ingredient, found in red yeast rice products, may help lower your blood cholesterol levels. But monacolin K is rare or nonexistent in some red yeast rice products. A contaminant known as citrinin is also present in some. Kidney failure may be caused by this toxin. You typically have no way of knowing whether products include citrinin or monacolin K. It is therefore difficult to determine whether products will be reliable or safe.