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Red Yeast Rice FAQ What
is Red Yeast Rice?
Red
yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by the red yeast, Monascus
purpureus. It has been used by the Chinese for many centuries as a
food preservative, food colorant (it is responsible for the red color
of Peking duck), spice, and ingredient in rice wine.
Is
Red Yeast Rice safe for all users?
Red
yeast rice should not be taken with cholesterol-lowering (statin)
medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (such as
atorvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin,
cerivastatin), because it may enhance the effect of these
medications, thereby increasing the risk of liver damage.
The
safety of red yeast rice during pregnancy and breast-feeding has not
been evaluated. Until further information is available, it should be
avoided in these cases.
What
are the benefits of taking Red Yeast Rice?
Its
therapeutic benefits are lowering cholesterol, promoting blood
circulation and a digestive stimulant.
What
is the recommended dosage for Red Yeast Rice?
In
Traditional Chinese Medicine, the dosage of dietary or supplemental
red yeast rice is as high as 6,000 to 9,000 mg per day, but the
appropriate dosage for adults may vary, depending on the form of the
supplement.
Standardized
extract: 600 mg (oral doses), 2 to 4 times per day has been used in
scientific studies to date. | 
