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Our Members Asked:
What are the side effects of red yeast rice?
Answer:
Red yeast rice supplements contain naturally occurring statin compounds (or monacolins), such as lovastatin, that can help lower elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Like prescription statin drugs, red yeast rice supplements can cause side effects such as altered liver enzymes, muscle pain, and digestive upset. However, studies suggest certain side effects may be less likely to occur or be less severe with red yeast rice than with prescription statins, likely due to the natural combination of statins in red yeast rice as opposed to a single statin compound in prescription drugs. (Be aware that combining red yeast rice with prescription statin drugs increases the risk of side effects and should be avoided.)
It's important to keep in mind that ConsumerLab.com has found the amount of lovastatins in red yeast rice varies widely across products. Some also contain citrinin, a potential kidney toxin. This likely affects potency and the potential for side effects.
To get ConsumerLab's test results for red yeast rice supplements, as well as more details about side effects, potential drug interactions, and the best way to take red yeast rice, see the Red Yeast Rice Supplements Review >>
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13 Comments
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Related CL Answers (8)
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Chris19365
April 22, 2024High cholesterol runs in my family and I am "aging into" the problems that my parents had. HDL is always good, but my total was 278. Dr. recommended trying RYR. I watched a few YT videos and purchased brand that seemed good (I was not a CL member at the time). I tried 1 with each meal. Nope. Too much bathroom time and gas. I joined CL, checked their RYR ratings and purchased ConsumerLab's Top Pick. I cut back to 1 at dinner and 1 before bed. So far, so good. May up it to 3 daily. Next blood test will be the first one after starting RYR. Curious to see how it goes.
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StatinStories.com
October 23, 2022If the red rice yeast contains lovistatin and if you can take enough of it to ingest a very large amount of lovistatin...then you can get any or all of the adverse effects of lovistatin--a lipophylic statin. You could get "statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy" --SINAM, and you would be in very big trouble. You could look at photos on statinstories.com and see what my own legs looked like after just 7 months on a similar lipophylic statin. And a friend of mine got severe muscle problems when she started red rice yeast, which resolved when she stopped. It doesn't always reselove--some death or permanent disease.
Obviously the damage red rice yeast is to a relatively small number. Few take enough of it to raise CK levels, etc. that are usual pressent in statin-triggered severe disease.
ConsumerLab.com
October 23, 2022It is certainly possible that more side effects would be seen with higher doses of red yeast rice and, as you note, the amount of lovastatin compounds in a typical dose of red yeast rice is lower than the amount of lovastatin in a standard dose of prescription lovastatin. It should be noted, however, the red yeast rice does not have just a single statin compound, but a natural mixture, of which two forms of lovastatin are dominant. So it is not exactly the same as prescription lovastatin at a lower dose. More about the side effects of red yeast rice can be found in the the Concerns and Cautions section of our Red Yeast Rice Supplements Review https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/red-yeast-rice-supplements-review/red-yeast-rice/#cautions.
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Harise9723
January 11, 2022A few years back, my doctor noted my cholesterol was a little high and suggested red yeast rice supplements. I tried them and it did make a difference but she said it was still not as low as she wanted and to double the dose. I basically ended up feeling like I had IBS, I was constantly having to run home from someplace of find a restroom somewhere, very unpleasant. I didn't make the connection at first to the red yeast rice, but once I did I called the doc and her nurse practitioner was the only person there at that point and she said just stop the supplements. The condition did clear up so I feel it was directly related. My cholesterol, wasn't all that high anyway, and I feel like the doctor was just experimenting with me. (just a thought). I started using methods like daily oatmeal, which had some effect and even without that, currently, my levels are pretty normal, maybe 5 points higher than the range. Current doctor is not concerned.
Marie Hooke
January 08, 2023Could it possibly be the brand you were taking? As you may note if your read through the ratings, not all RYR products are of the same quality, verified and reliable strength and without other harmful compounds not labeled.
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Brew1
October 04, 2021I used HPF Cholestene for six months (2 tablets per day) and did not notice any side effects. Interestingly enough, my HDL increased by almost 50% (34 to 49), giving me my best HDL total ever (previously 39 when I was in very good condition). I am trying it again to improve my cholesterol ratio and am thankful for ConsumerLab explaining the FDA warning. I have no financial interest in the makers of this product.
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Matt9716
November 06, 2019I took red yeast rice for a couple weeks to help with my hypertriglyceridemia (yet really low LDL @ ~80 and HDL @ ~30). My triglycerides were hovering around 1100 always, even after cutting out sugar, junk food and a lot of carbs..
I noticed almost immediately that I was suffering "amnesia" type symptoms reported when using other statins. Things that would come to me without thinking, I now had to stop and think about for a few seconds An example would be trying to remember the main passwords on my computers that I'm using several times a day. I think for many, stopping to think for a few seconds, is not that alarming or noticeable depending on what you do all day, but with my work, it was very noticeable.
I stopped taking the red yeast rice and the "symptom" went away. Unfortunately, I never got my lipids panel to see if it helped at all with the triglycerides, but it wasn't something I was prepared to continue taking, even if it was helping. It's not a side effect I could live with.
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Susan9714
September 09, 2018I have been taking Red Yeast Rice for over a year with no side effects. True I have to take two capsules twice a day but then again my Cholesterol went from 236 to 186 and my HDLs,
LDLs and Triglycerides are all within normal range. My Liver Function tests are also normal. Well worth taking this supplement.
Long ago I took a Statin and though it did work I felt I had brain fog. With RYR this does not occur.
I love love love ConsumerLab for many reasons-this is only one of them.
ConsumerLab.com
September 10, 2018Hi Susan - Thank you for sharing your experience with red yeast rice, and for your kind words.
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Adil9711
January 10, 2018In terms of white flour's negative effect on cholesterol - how about sourdough bread, does that count as not being white flour? What about brown pasta?
Donald9712
November 07, 2019The only certain way to determine how something affects you is to test it on yourself. I've compared the blood sugar effects of regular and whole wheat pasta and found no detectable difference. The fiber in the whole wheat probably did mitigate the rise in blood sugar, but not enough for me to detect it. My experiments on myself (I'm not diabetic) have convinced me that grains are bad news, whether whole or refined.
StatinStories.com
October 01, 2022I took a prescribed statin drug for 7 months--never recovered.
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M. Scott, RDN, IBCLC
January 10, 2018Best way to reduce cholesterol, is to reduce your intake of white flour, and added sugar. Try ti for 2 months--no white flour, no added sugars, and check your cholesterol level
Michelle Scott, MA, RD/RDN practicing dietitian and adjunct professor
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