Low dose red yeast rice with monacolin K lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in Japanese with mild dyslipidemia: A multicenter, randomized trial

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biological-products #blood-pressure #cholesterol-ldl #dietary-supplements #dyslipidemias

Low dose red yeast rice with monacolin K lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in Japanese with mild dyslipidemia: A multicenter, randomized trial

Minamizuka et al., 2021 | Asia Pac J Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

Minamizuka Takuya, Koshizaka Masaya, ... Yokote Koutaro. Low dose red yeast rice with monacolin K lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in Japanese with mild dyslipidemia: A multicenter, randomized trial. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2021-Sep;30(3):424-435. doi:10.6133/apjcn.202109_30(3).0009

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter. The daily dose of red yeast rice and monacolin K in previous studies was relatively high; therefore, there were safety concerns. We aimed to examine the effects of low daily dose red yeast rice on arteriosclerosis in patients with mild dyslipidemia. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen patients without known cardiovascular disease and unsatisfactory low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.96±0.19 mmol/L) controlled only by diet therapy were randomly allocated to receive low dose red yeast rice (200 mg/day) containing 2 mg monacolin K or diet therapy alone for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the absolute change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Secondary outcomes included total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in the red yeast rice group than in the diet therapy group (median [interquartile range]: control -0.20 [-0.62, 1.19] mmol/L vs. red yeast rice -0.96 [-1.05, -0.34] mmol/L, p=0.030). The red yeast rice group also exhibited significant decreases in total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and blood pressure. No severe treatment-related adverse effects on muscles, liver, or renal function were observed. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients in the red yeast rice group exhibited significant reductions in lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and blood pressure without any recognised adverse effect. This suggests that low daily dose red yeast rice could reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with dyslipidemia.

Key Findings

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in the red yeast rice group than in the diet therapy group (median [interquartile range]: control -0.20 [-0.62, 1.19] mmol/L vs. red yeast rice -0.96 [-1.05, -0.34] mmol/L, p=0.030). The red yeast rice group also exhibited significant decreases in total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and blood pressure. No severe treatment-related adverse effects on muscles, liver, or renal function were observed.

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population mild dyslipidemia
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Biological Products
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dyslipidemias
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Japan
  • Lovastatin

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: red-yeast-rice

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09