Study: Red Yeast Rice Lowers Cholesterol

PHILADELPHIAThough red yeast rice (RYR) therapy is effective in improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), adding phytosterol supplementation did not further lower cholesterol markers, according to a new study in the American Heart Journal.

For the trial, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, researchers Temple University Hospital Temple University Hospital analyzed the combination of RYR and phytosterol tablets on lipid lowering for patients who refuse or cannot take statin drugs (Am Heart J. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2013.03.019). Nearly 200 subjects supplemented with 1800 mg of RYR twice daily for 52 weeks. The patients were randomized  to take either phytosterol tablets 900 mg twice daily or placebo; they were also randomized into usual care or lifestyle change groups, in which they met with doctors, dietitians and exercise physiologists for three months.

RYR supplementation significantly lowered LDL-C levels in the patients. Those in the usual care group averaged a 42 mg/dL reduction in 12 weeks, while patients taking RYR in the lifestyle change segment lowered their cholesterol by a mean of 51 mg/dL. Though adding phytosterol tablets did not further lower LDL-C levels, the scientists noted all participants recorded significant decreases in LDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after one year when compared with baseline.

Red yeast rice has also been tied to bone health, as reported in Nutrition Research.