1. Cholesterol Levels Slideshow Pictures
2. Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Cholesterol Quiz

In this Article

• What is red yeast rice?
• What is the present status of red yeast rice?
• What are the different preparations of red yeast rice?
• What is the composition of HypoCol and Cholestin?
• How effective are HypoCol, Cholestin and Xuezhikang in lowering lipids?
• How safe are red yeast rice products?
• Are there any precautions in consuming red yeast rice products?
• Who are suitable candidates for red yeast rice products?
• Who are not suitable candidates for red yeast rice products?
• Red Yeast Rice and Cholesterol Index

Who are not suitable candidates for red yeast rice?

Patients with moderate to severe cholesterol abnormalities, and patients who are at high risk of developing heart attacks or strokes are not candidates for red yeast rice. Examples of patients that are at high risk of heart attacks include patients who had prior heart attacks and strokes, patients with diabetes mellitus, and patients with atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the brain and to the extremities (peripheral artery disease). In these patients, red yeast rice containing legal amounts of cholesterol lowering substances (along with weight loss, diet, and exercise) is not potent enough to achieve the degree of cholesterol lowering desired.

References: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1999; 69:231-7)