Red yeast rice is obtained by growing red yeast on cooked white rice kernels. The fermented rice appears reddish-purple due to yeast’s pigmentation capability.

Red Yeast Rice has the following health benefits:

• Improves the heart health
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces cancer risk
• Decreases metabolic syndrome risk

Most people can tolerate Red Yeast Rice when taken by mouth for up to four and a half years. However, some people might experience the following side effects:

• Headache
• Stomach gas
• Heartburn
• Abdominal pain
• Lightheadedness

Legal position: Red Yeast Rice has monacolin K as the active ingredient, similar to cholesterol-lowering medication. So FDA considered it a drug and has implemented strict regulations compared to other supplements.

FDA warnings: While using Red Yeast Rice, people might have severe side effects of statin medication, such as painful muscle and kidney problems.

Pregnancy & Lactation: Research is still awaited on the long-term safe use of Red Yeast Rice.

Controversies of Red Yeast Rice: Red Yeast Rice is still sold legally in the United States as a dietary supplement, provided the manufacturers take steps to remove the monacolin K from the products.

• People on cholesterol-lowering medication
• One with HIV infection
• People with a mood disorder
• Those who have heart problems
• People with liver problem
• One with kidney problems
• If having thyroid problems
• People with cancer