Red Yeast Rice
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpureus) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 14,973 participants, researched for LDL Cholesterol Reduction, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction, Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Health.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
LDL Cholesterol Reduction
ModerateCardiovascular Risk Reduction
StrongCholesterol & Cardiovascular Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
LDL Cholesterol Reduction
To evaluate the lipid-lowering efficacy of red yeast rice in patients with hyperlipidaemia.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the lipid-lowering efficacy of red yeast rice in patients with hyperlipidaemia.
Dose
600 mg red yeast rice extract twice daily (~2.4 mg monacolin K)
Participants
79 patients aged 23–65 with hyperlipidaemia
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Red yeast rice significantly reduced TC (~11%) and LDL-C (~21%) vs placebo. HDL-C improved. Well tolerated with no significant adverse effects.
How They Measured It
Serum lipid panel (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG) at baseline and after 8 weeks
To assess the effect of Chinese red yeast rice on blood lipids in primary hyperlipidaemia.
Study Type
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Purpose
To assess the effect of Chinese red yeast rice on blood lipids in primary hyperlipidaemia.
Dose
Various standardised monacolin K preparations
Participants
Meta-analysis across 9,625 participants
Duration
4–24 weeks
Results
Red yeast rice significantly lowered TC (~0.91 mmol/L) and LDL-C (~0.73 mmol/L) vs placebo. Modest HDL-C increases and TG reductions were also observed.
How They Measured It
Pooled TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG from multiple RCTs
To determine whether red yeast rice produces significant LDL reduction and evaluate safety.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To determine whether red yeast rice produces significant LDL reduction and evaluate safety.
Dose
Standardised preparations (monacolin K 3–10 mg/day)
Participants
Pooled from 13 RCTs
Duration
6–24 weeks
Results
Red yeast rice produced significant LDL-C reductions (pooled WMD −25.2 mg/dL). Safety data were variable; myopathy risk noted due to statin-like content.
How They Measured It
LDL-C change, adverse event rates, meta-regression for dose-response
To summarise pharmacology, clinical evidence, and safety of red yeast rice for hypercholesterolaemia.
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To summarise pharmacology, clinical evidence, and safety of red yeast rice for hypercholesterolaemia.
Dose
Monacolin K equivalent ≤10 mg/day
Participants
Review of available clinical data
Duration
Various
Results
Daily monacolin K from red yeast rice reduces LDL-C 15–25% within 6–8 weeks. Effectiveness is directly related to monacolin K content. Safety requires monitoring comparable to low-dose statins.
How They Measured It
Narrative synthesis of clinical trials and pharmacological studies
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
To assess the effect of red yeast rice (Xuezhikang) on recurrent coronary events in patients with prior MI.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, controlled multicentre trial
Purpose
To assess the effect of red yeast rice (Xuezhikang) on recurrent coronary events in patients with prior MI.
Dose
600 mg Xuezhikang twice daily
Participants
4,870 patients with history of myocardial infarction
Duration
4.5 years
Results
Xuezhikang reduced total coronary events by 45%, non-fatal MI by 50%, coronary revascularisation by 41%, and cardiovascular mortality by 30%. TC and LDL-C decreased significantly.
How They Measured It
Primary endpoint: non-fatal MI or CHD death; secondary: all-cause mortality, lipids
To evaluate red yeast rice as an alternative for statin-intolerant hypercholesterolaemic patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot
Purpose
To evaluate red yeast rice as an alternative for statin-intolerant hypercholesterolaemic patients.
Dose
1,800 mg red yeast rice twice daily
Participants
62 statin-intolerant patients with elevated LDL-C
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Red yeast rice significantly reduced LDL-C (−35 mg/dL vs −15 mg/dL placebo, p<0.001) without increased myopathy. Lifestyle intervention group showed additional improvements.
How They Measured It
LDL-C, TC, CK levels, musculoskeletal symptom scores
To investigate the serum lipid-lowering effect of Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial
Purpose
To investigate the serum lipid-lowering effect of Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation.
Dose
1.2 g red yeast rice daily
Participants
324 patients with primary hyperlipidaemia
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Red yeast rice significantly lowered TC (−10.9%) and LDL-C (−17.6%) vs placebo at 8 weeks. Maintained over study duration.
How They Measured It
Serum lipid panel at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks
To evaluate the effect of red yeast rice on dyslipidaemia and other disorders.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of red yeast rice on dyslipidaemia and other disorders.
Dose
Various standardised preparations
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Various
Results
Red yeast rice significantly lowered LDL-C and total cholesterol. Triglyceride reductions were modest but consistent. Benefits noted in statin-intolerant populations and potential ancillary anti-inflammatory effects.
How They Measured It
Review of lipid endpoints and safety outcomes from RCTs
To review safety and tolerability of red yeast rice supplements in clinical populations.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis — safety
Purpose
To review safety and tolerability of red yeast rice supplements in clinical populations.
Dose
Various preparations
Participants
Pooled from multiple RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Overall safety profile comparable to low-dose pravastatin. Incidence of myopathy was rare and similar to placebo in standardised preparations. Liver enzyme elevations were uncommon. Regulatory monitoring recommended due to statin content.
How They Measured It
Adverse event rates, myopathy incidence, liver enzyme changes
Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate low-dose monacolin K combined with CoQ10, grape seed, and olive leaf extracts for lowering LDL cholesterol in mild dyslipidemia.
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (Multicenter)
Purpose
To evaluate low-dose monacolin K combined with CoQ10, grape seed, and olive leaf extracts for lowering LDL cholesterol in mild dyslipidemia.
Dose
Monacolin K 3 mg/day plus CoQ10, grape seed, olive leaf extracts
Participants
Patients with mild dyslipidemia
Duration
12 weeks
Results
The low-dose monacolin K combination supplement significantly reduced LDL cholesterol in patients with mild dyslipidemia with good safety profile.
How They Measured It
LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides
To review clinical trials of monacolin K supplementation in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
To review clinical trials of monacolin K supplementation in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Dose
Various doses across included trials
Participants
Meta-analysis of patients with hypercholesterolemia
Duration
Various
Results
Monacolin K supplementation demonstrated consistent LDL-lowering effects across clinical trials with acceptable safety profile.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of RCTs; LDL, total cholesterol, safety outcomes
To evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement based on monacolins, gamma-oryzanol, and GABA in mild dyslipidemia.
Study Type
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement based on monacolins, gamma-oryzanol, and GABA in mild dyslipidemia.
Dose
Monacolins combined with gamma-oryzanol and GABA supplement
Participants
Adults with mild dyslipidemia
Duration
12 weeks
Results
The monacolins/gamma-oryzanol/GABA combination significantly reduced LDL and total cholesterol with additional blood pressure benefits.
How They Measured It
LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Red Yeast Rice research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpureus), involving 14,973 total participants. Research covers LDL cholesterol reduction, Total cholesterol lowering, Cardiovascular risk reduction and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Red Yeast Rice has been researched for: LDL cholesterol reduction, Total cholesterol lowering, Cardiovascular risk reduction, Triglyceride management. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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