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Red Yeast Rice Supplements Review

50% of Red Yeast Rice Supplements "NOT APPROVED" in CL Tests

Latest Update

Caution With Red Yeast Rice

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated April 28, 2025 ⓘ

Products tested in 2022

+— 51 sources

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:

Summary

What is red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice (i.e., rice on which a particular yeast has grown) can naturally contain cholesterol-lowering lovastatin compounds known as monacolins K and KA, which are red in color (see What It Is).
Does red yeast rice work?
Red yeast rice can be very effective in lowering elevated levels of cholesterol, as shown in several clinical trials (see What It Does). However, not all red yeast rice supplements contain the amount of lovastatin needed to lower cholesterol, and products normally do not list the amount of lovastatin they contain on their labels.
What did CL find?
The amount of lovastatin in the tested supplements ranged from none to 7.5 mg per 2-pill serving (about 1,200 mg of red yeast rice). When used within their suggested daily serving sizes, only two of ten products provided amounts of lovastatin known to lower cholesterol in placebo-controlled clinical trials (see What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated). One of these was much lower in cost than the other and is our Top Pick for red yeast rice.

Be aware that ConsumerLab also found that lovastatin levels have changed in some products since last tested in 2018, with the lovastatin in one product falling by 91%.

Of additional concern is that CL found a potential kidney toxin, citrinin, in 30% of products, one of which contained citrinin at a level 65 times the limit allowed in Europe (there is no established limit in the U.S.).
Should you use red yeast rice?
Based on the varying amounts of lovastatin in products and changes in these amounts over time, it may be preferable to use a prescription statin drug to ensure a more consistent dose (generic prescription lovastatin is also now lower cost than lovastatin from red yeast rice) (see ConsumerTips™). However, red yeast rice may be effective for some people who don't respond to statin drugs, and certain side effects may be diminished.
Best way to take red yeast rice?
It is best to take red yeast rice in two divided doses each day, with one dose before bedtime, as this may improve efficacy. Typically, 1,200 to 2,400 mg of red yeast rice is taken daily (two to four 600 mg pills).
Cautions:
Red yeast rice can cause digestive upset and other mild symptoms, and may also, like other statins, cause muscle breakdown and affect the liver and kidneys. It can also interact certain medications. Don't eat grapefruit or use St. John's wort when taking red yeast rice or other statins. Rarely, taking red yeast rice at night seems to cause insomnia. See Concerns and Cautions for more information.

Make sure you're choosing the best red yeast rice supplements approved in our tests!

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Red yeast rice supplement brands compared in this review

21st Century Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg

Arazo Nutrition Red Yeast Rice

HPF Cholestene

Mason Natural Red Yeast Rice

MRM Nutrition Red Yeast Rice

Natures Plus Red Yeast Rice 600 mg

Nature's Sunshine Red Yeast Rice

Puritan's Pride Red Yeast Rice 600 mg

Solaray Red Yeast Rice 600 mg

Vitacost Red Yeast Rice

You must be a ConsumerLab.com member to get the full test results for ten red yeast rice supplements selected for testing by ConsumerLab, along with CL's Top Pick for red yeast rice and ConsumerTips for how to choose and use red yeast rice. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:

How much cholesterol-lowering lovastatin is in each product -- something that's not typically listed on labels
Which red yeast rice supplements passed or failed ConsumerLab's tests of quality and our Top Pick among products
Which red yeast rice supplements are contaminated with citrinin and which are not
Which products are most similar to those shown to work in clinical trials

What is Ankascin 568-R Plus?
Usage and dosage information for red yeast rice
Why the FDA has taken action against some red yeast rice products
Safety and potential side effects and drug interactions with red yeast rice

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Red Yeast Rice Supplements Review

50% of Red Yeast Rice Supplements "NOT APPROVED" in CL Tests

Summary

What is red yeast rice?

Does red yeast rice work?

What did CL find?

Should you use red yeast rice?

Best way to take red yeast rice?

Cautions:

Make sure you're choosing the best red yeast rice supplements approved in our tests!