ConsumerLab.com Releases Red Yeast Rice Report

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Levels of cholesterol-lowering compounds vary widely in red yeast rice dietary supplements, according to a report released July 1 by ConsumerLab.com. According to the organization, it tested 10 red yeast rice supplements and found levels of the statin compounds varied by more than 100-fold; in addition, ConsumerLab.com’s tests showed four products contained a potentially toxic contaminant, citrinin.

Red yeast rice is made by fermenting rice with Monascus purpureus, a species of yeast; it naturally contains compounds known as monacolins, including lovastatin, which is the active compound also seen in some pharmaceutical cholesterol-lowering medications. Published studies have shown daily supplementation with red yeast rice may lower total cholesterol and triglycerides. Recently, a study out of China found people with a previous heart attack who took red yeast rice could reduce recurrent heart attack as well as reduce cholesterol levels.

ConsumerLab.com purchased 10 red yeast rice dietary supplements sold in the United States and tested them for levels of monacolins, citrinin and lead. None of the products were found to contain lead. Four products—from Solaray, Natural Balance, VegLife and Walgreens—were found to contain citrinin, a mycotoxin with possible nephrotoxicity. ConsumerLab also tested products from 21st Century, Cholestene, Chole-sterin, Healthy America, Nature’s Plus and Schiff. Across the 10 products tested, levels of monacolins per pill ranged from only 0.3 mg to as much as 10.6 mg.

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