Among the 8 red yeast rice (RYR) supplements tested, only 3 contained enough cholesterol-lowering compounds to be effective, the report shows. In some cases, one product was up to 500-times as strong as another. Also, one of the supplements contained a potential kidney toxin called citrinin, the report shows. Statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the US, taken by roughly 25% of adults over age 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But not everyone can tolerate statins, and some experience muscle pain, leading to many seeking alternatives. MORE: Should You Be Taking A Statin? Studies have found that red yeast rice—variations of which have been used medicinally in the East for more than 1,000 years—can lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels by 18% to 42%. Also, more research has shown that RYR tends not to cause the muscle pain often associated with statins. How does red yeast rice work? The fermented grain contains a number of compounds called monacolins, including lovastatin—a proven cholesterol-lowering compound that’s sold as the prescription drug Mevacor. That makes RYR supplements an enticing alternative to statins for people who have problems tolerating the drug or who want a natural alternative to prescription meds. “Red yeast rice can be an effective supplements for lowering cholesterol,” says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.com. But because RYR products don’t contain information about their monacolin content—a necessary hedge to avoid FDA oversight and lawsuit threats from prescription drug makers—there’s no way for consumers to know how much of the good, cholesterol-lowering stuff is in their RYR capsule, Cooperman adds. So which RYR supplements are worth the money? Among the products tested and those three that ConsumerLab approved, Nature’s Plus Herbal Actives Red Yeast Rice (NaturesPlus.com) contained the best cholesterol-lowering bang for your buck. MORE: 12 Foods That Lower Cholesterol Naturally
