NComb-induced amelioration of lipid profile was not affected by duration of supplementation nor by baseline lipid levels ; conversely , a greater glucose-lowering effect of NComb was found with higher baseline glucose levels and longer duration s of supplementation .
In conclusion , the present results suggest that NComb supplementation is associated with improvement of lipid and glucose profile .
Short-term beneficial effects of NComb supplementation appear to be maintained in the long term
Dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia are associated with an increased risk of  ischemic cardiovascular disease .
Positive effects of a nutraceutical combination comprising red yeast rice , berberine , policosanol , astaxanthin , coenzyme Q10 and folic acid ( NComb ) on plasma lipid and glucose levels have been reported in some but not all clinical trials .
To address this inconsistency , we tried to estimate the size of lipid- and glucose-lowering effects of NComb through a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials .
Clinical evidence of efficacy of red yeast rice and berberine in a large controlled study versus diet
Efficacy of a new patented proprietary combination of natural nutraceuticals ( PN ) containing natural hypolipidemic as red yeast , policosanol and berberine was tested in a large study on dyslipidemic patients in clinical practice . A parallel , controlled , r and omized , multicenter study was design ed . After 2 weeks on a stable dietary regimen , the patients were r and omized to PN 1 tablet/day associated with diet ( PN + D ) or diet alone ( D ) for 16 weeks . Entry criteria were : Tot-Chol > 200 mg/dL or LDL-Chol > 150 mg/dL without a clear indication for statins , or plasma triglycerides > 150 mg/dL.  Lipid pattern and CV parameters were evaluated at baseline and monthly . 1,751 patients were enrolled in 248 Italian units , 933 patients on PN + D and 818 on D. The baseline lipid values were : Tot-Chol 255.4 versus 243.1 mg/dL , LDL-Chol 170.1 versus 162.2 mg/dL , HDL-Chol 50.0 versus 48.8 mg/dL , and TG 190.5 versus 184.4 mg/dL. PN constantly and significantly improved lipid parameters versus D group : at 16 weeks −19.1 versus −9.4 % for Tot-Chol ( p < 0.001 ) , −23.5 versus −10.8 % for LDL-Chol ( p < 0.001 ) , + 11.6 versus + 4.0 % for HDL-Chol ( p < 0.001 ) , −17.9 versus −11.3 % for TG ( p < 0.001 ) . In conclusions , PN plus diet allows an effective improvement of blood lipids with a significant reduction of global CV risk , suggesting a role for PN in CHD prevention
NComb-induced amelioration of lipid profile was not affected by duration of supplementation nor by baseline lipid levels ; conversely , a greater glucose-lowering effect of NComb was found with higher baseline glucose levels and longer duration s of supplementation .
In conclusion , the present results suggest that NComb supplementation is associated with improvement of lipid and glucose profile .
Short-term beneficial effects of NComb supplementation appear to be maintained in the long term
Dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia are associated with an increased risk of  ischemic cardiovascular disease .
Positive effects of a nutraceutical combination comprising red yeast rice , berberine , policosanol , astaxanthin , coenzyme Q10 and folic acid ( NComb ) on plasma lipid and glucose levels have been reported in some but not all clinical trials .
To address this inconsistency , we tried to estimate the size of lipid- and glucose-lowering effects of NComb through a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials .