“ RYR plus conventional therapy ” exhibited significant lowering effects on serum total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and CRP but exhibited no significant effect on systolic BP , diastolic BP , triglycerides ( TG ) , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) compared with “ placebo plus conventional therapy . ” “
RYR plus conventional therapy ” showed significant lowering effects on systolic BP , TC , LDL-C , and CRP but no effect on diastolic BP , TG , and HDL-C compared with “ placebo plus conventional therapy . ”
No significant difference in BP and lipid profile between “ RYR plus conventional therapy ” and “ statins plus conventional therapy ” was observed .
“ RYR plus statins ” appeared to be more effective in lowering BP , TC , TG , and LDL-C but without a significant difference in HDL-C compared to statins .
No serious adverse events were reported .
The results of this meta- analysis suggested some supportive but limited evidence regarding RYR for hypertension .
ABSTRACT Interest is increasing regarding the potential health effects of red yeast rice ( RYR ) consumption , which is described as a “ natural statin ” in China .
This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of RYR on blood pressure ( BP ) , lipid profile , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) in treating  hypertension .
Red yeast rice lowers cholesterol in physicians - a double blind, placebo controlled randomized trial
Background In recent years , red yeast rice ( RYR ) supplements have been marketed aggressively as a natural way to lower cholesterol ; however , the large majority of commercially available products have not been studied according to current research st and ards . Methods In a double blind placebo controlled r and omized trial , 52 physicians and their spouses with a total cholesterol level of > 200 mg/dL were r and omly allocated to receive a RYR extract or placebo for 8 weeks . As a primary outcome measure , we compared the before-after difference in lipid levels between both groups . As secondary outcome measures we looked at side-effects , CK elevation and a change in cardiovascular risk . Results LDL ( low density lipoprotein ) cholesterol was lowered with 36 mg/dL ( 22 % ) and total cholesterol with 37 mg/dL ( 15 % ) in the intervention group . This result was statistically significant as compared to the control group , in which no reduction in total cholesterol and LDL was observed ( p < 0.001 ) . There was no marked difference in CK ( creatine kinase)-elevation or reported side-effects between study groups . In 5/31 participants in the intervention group , the lipid lowering effect result ed in lower cardiovascular risk as measured with SCORE ( Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation ) . Conclusions The RYR formulation under study was effective in lowering cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in this study population . RYR therapy may be an attractive and relatively well studied alternative in patients who are intolerant for statins or who have objections against pharmacological lipid lowering . However , consumers need to be warned that the actual content of commercially available preparations is not assured by governmental regulations , which raises effectiveness and safety issues . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov , nr :
“ RYR plus conventional therapy ” exhibited significant lowering effects on serum total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and CRP but exhibited no significant effect on systolic BP , diastolic BP , triglycerides ( TG ) , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) compared with “ placebo plus conventional therapy . ” “
RYR plus conventional therapy ” showed significant lowering effects on systolic BP , TC , LDL-C , and CRP but no effect on diastolic BP , TG , and HDL-C compared with “ placebo plus conventional therapy . ”
No significant difference in BP and lipid profile between “ RYR plus conventional therapy ” and “ statins plus conventional therapy ” was observed .
“ RYR plus statins ” appeared to be more effective in lowering BP , TC , TG , and LDL-C but without a significant difference in HDL-C compared to statins .
No serious adverse events were reported .
The results of this meta- analysis suggested some supportive but limited evidence regarding RYR for hypertension .
ABSTRACT Interest is increasing regarding the potential health effects of red yeast rice ( RYR ) consumption , which is described as a “ natural statin ” in China .
This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of RYR on blood pressure ( BP ) , lipid profile , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) in treating  hypertension .