Red yeast rice has been studied as an alternative approach for lowering cholesterol, although it is important to note that it contains monacolin K, a compound chemically identical to lovastatin, and therefore may share some of the same biochemical effects as statin medications, including reduction of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology (2010; 105(2):198–204) evaluated 43 patients with dyslipidemia who had previously discontinued statin therapy due to myalgia, a common and clinically significant side effect of statins. Participants were randomized to receive either pravastatin (20 mg twice daily) or red yeast rice (2.4 grams twice daily) for a period of 12 weeks.
At the end of the study, 5% of the red yeast rice group discontinued treatment due to muscle pain, compared with 9% of the pravastatin group. Reductions in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol were observed in both groups, with the red yeast rice group experiencing an average reduction of 30%, compared with 27% in the pravastatin group.
While these results suggest that red yeast rice may be better tolerated than certain statins in some individuals, the underlying mechanism of action is similar to statin drugs. As a result, considerations regarding mitochondrial function and CoQ10 depletion may still apply.
Educational note:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
