By Christopher Piercecchi, MD
Physician and Wellness Manager, Founder, The Men’s Clinic for Wellness & Vitality
SITREP is an evidence-based review briefing for patients and colleagues at The Men’s Clinic for Wellness & Vitality. It is educational and does not constitute individualized medical advice.
There is a peculiar contradiction in the way some people approach cholesterol treatment. They are told that their LDL is too high and that medication is appropriate, but they do not want to take a statin because they prefer something “natural.” A naturopath, supplement advocate, podcast host, or friend recommends red yeast rice instead. The patient then believes he has rejected a pharmaceutical treatment in favor of a fundamentally different natural one.
He has not.
The ingredient in red yeast rice primarily responsible for its cholesterol-lowering effect is monacolin K, and monacolin K is chemically identical to lovastatin, one of the original prescription statins. The FDA identifies monacolin K as lovastatin, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mevacor. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says the same thing: monacolin K and lovastatin are the same chemical compound.
That fact should fundamentally change the conversation about red yeast rice. If you are taking it because you believe you have chosen a non-statin alternative to statin therapy, you have misunderstood what is producing the cholesterol-lowering effect.
Back to All Blogs