Key Takeaways

Red yeast rice may help lower mild to moderate cholesterol, but check with your healthcare provider first before trying it.

Safety and quality can vary, so choose independently tested products.

Side effects may include stomach issues, headaches, and rare kidney problems from contamination.

Red yeast rice is a supplement touted as a way to lower cholesterol without prescription medication. It may be an effective treatment for some, but reports of side effects and variable safety and efficacy exist.

What Red Yeast Rice Does to Your Cholesterol

Red yeast rice may lower cholesterol in people with mildly to moderately elevated cholesterol due to a compound called monacolin K .

Monacolin K is structurally identical to lovastatin , a prescription statin medication tha

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