Red yeast rice lowers cholesterol in physicians - a double blind, placebo controlled randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In recent years, red yeast rice (RYR) supplements have been marketed aggressively as a natural way to lower cholesterol; however, the large majority of commercially available products have not been studied according to current research standards.

Methods

In a double blind placebo controlled randomized trial, 52 physicians and their spouses with a total cholesterol level of > 200 mg/dL were randomly allocated to receive a RYR extract or placebo for 8 weeks. As a primary outcome measure, we compared the before-after difference in lipid levels between both groups. As secondary outcome measures we looked at side-effects, CK elevation and a change in cardiovascular risk.

Results

LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol was lowered with 36 mg/dL (22%) and total

SUBMITTER: Verhoeven V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3726474 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature