Compound Profile

Red Yeast Rice

Statin like supplement comparison; safety screen: statins; liver disease; pregnancy; CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Use extra caution Acts like a statin when monacolin K is present; liver/muscle and drug interaction flags are central. Details

Last reviewed: 1 source citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·D Preliminary
Red Yeast Rice monograph visual
Generated profile category visual

At a glance

From this profile's structured data
Evidence
Grade D
Safety
Acts like a statin when monacolin K is present; liver/muscle and drug-interaction flags are central.
Profile context
HMG-CoA reductase
Next steps

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Quick stats

Evidence level
Preliminary evidence
Typical onset
Varies by prep
Safety rating
Use extra caution: Interaction risk
Best for
HMG CoA Reductase
Avoid / review if
Liver

Safety

Safety & Cautions

Acts like a statin when monacolin K is present; liver/muscle and drug interaction flags are central.

High caution

Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.

  • Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
  • Liver-SensitiveLiver-related caution language appears in the profile.

Evidence Summary

Profile-wide ·D Preliminary

Evidence lens

Early signal that needs stronger human replication before practical claims.

PreliminaryPreliminary evidence

Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mappedMetabolic Regulation · Vascular Function Support · Lipid Metabolism Support

Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic researchMechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.

Safety boundary: Safety note availableActs like a statin when monacolin K is present; liver/muscle and drug interaction flags are central.

This profile cites 1 human study.

Evidence Strength

Confidence estimate based on the design quality and consistency of published clinical trials.

Preliminary evidence

Red Yeast Rice has a preliminary evidence rating.

General wellnessGeneral wellness
Citation density
1.0
Sources
1
Effects
1
Research recency
Mixed recency
Evidence Grade

Grade D: Preliminary / Theoretical Evidence

Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.

Design Match
Regulatory or official guidance
Risk of Bias
High
Consistency
Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a regulatory or official guidance, drawn from 1 recorded study, none of which measured an outcome in people.
How evidence grades work

Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.

Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (1)0 human evidence sources · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable

What the evidence actually shows

This table contains 1 structured source, including 0 human evidence sources; 0 are human trials. A reliable participant total cannot be calculated because sample size is not consistently structured in the cited sources. Source-to-conclusion relationships are not classified in this structured set, so consistency is not yet classifiable.

Profile-wide evidence grade: see the profile grade above · Confidence: not separately assigned

What would change our conclusion?

Larger, well-controlled human trials using comparable populations, doses, preparations, and clinically meaningful outcomes could materially strengthen or weaken this conclusion. Replication in a different population or a high-quality synthesis resolving current disagreement could also materially change confidence.

StudyDesignNDoseDurationPopulationOutcomeResult & magnitudeSource

Molecular characterization of six new cases of red blood cell hexokinase deficiency yields four novel mutations in HK1

PubMed · Blood Cells Mol Dis · 2016

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

How Red Yeast Rice Works

Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.

Mechanism Pathway — How Red Yeast Rice Works

How Red Yeast Rice WorksRed Yeast Rice acts on biological target pathways via metabolic (regulation), leading to hmg coa reductase.Red Yeast RiceBiological TargetBiological pathwayMetabolicRegulationHmg Coa ReductaseObservable outcomeVascular FunctionSupport
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome

Dosing

No standardized dose
No standardized dose is established for this ingredient in our source data. Preparations differ widely, so follow the standardization on the product you actually have and speak to a clinician before starting.
Mechanisms & biological pathways

Preclinical mechanism details from scientific profiles; these represent plausible pathways but do not guarantee clinical efficacy in humans.

  • Metabolic Regulation
  • Vascular Function Support
  • Lipid Metabolism Support

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Related research paths

Compare & Sourcing

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Safety first · Harm reduction

This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.

Editorial Review

Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.

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Compound profile context

How to interpret Red Yeast Rice

Red Yeast Rice compound profile with evidence context, key research topics, source notes, safety context, and references presented in an evidence-first… Use this compound profile to understand mechanism, evidence quality, and practical safety context before comparing products or building a stack. A biochemical pathway connection can be useful for discovery, but it is not the same as proven benefit in humans.

When reviewing Red Yeast Rice, separate the active molecule from the product category around it. Dose form, absorption, extract standardization, medication interactions, and individual sensitivity can change the real-world risk-benefit picture.

For supplement planning, avoid combining multiple compounds with overlapping sedating, stimulating, serotonergic, blood-pressure, anticoagulant, or liver-metabolism effects unless a qualified clinician has reviewed the context.