Is red yeast rice safe to use to control cholesterol?

= lovastatin/Mevacor: Red yeast rice contains a small amount of naturally occuring substance called lovastatin, which is available in prescription Mevacor or generic lovastatin. It is considered a pretty safe medication for cholesterol, but regular monitoring is recommended to ensure safety and effecacy etc... If you are using it, don't over do it and make sure to inform your doc... Good luck.

Yes: Red yeast rice, plant sterols, fiber, and fish oil can help with cholesterol. Ldl your bad cholesterol is mostly from animal fat (meat and dairy can cause it), triglycerides is a problem with carbohydrates so decreasing that can help; HDL can be increased with exercise, niacin/panthothenic acid, losing weight and hormone replacement.

Source of statins: Lovastatin (mevacor (lovastatin) brand), the 1st statin drug, is derived from red yeast rice(ryr). A dose of ryr has some amts of the statin type drugs. It may work, but is less potent than the other prescription statin drugs. Ryr has the same potential for drug interactions (watch the grapefruit intake), and side effects (muscle aches, liver abnormalities) as most of the other statins.

Consult MD: Supplements are not FDA regulated, so there is no way to know the quantity or quality of what you're taking. Instead, consider getting plenty of dietary fiber from whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Limit red meats and full fat diary. Other ways to increase your "good" cholesterol and reducing risks include losing any excess weight, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.