Red yeast rice (RYR), a product made from cultivating rice with the mold Monascus purpureus, is a dietary supplement that is used to reduce cholesterol levels.
Over the past decade, owing to actions taken by the FDA and the United Stated Federal Courts, RYR has engendered much controversy and confusion. RYR is still available, but many questions surround it.
Does RYR work? What's in it? Is it still legal? Should you take it?
Incorporating new evidence published as recently as last week, in this article I try to answer all these questions.
I’m a 51 year old female & have hypothyroidism, on daily Synthroid. My cholesterol levels started climbing from 204 to 240, with high LDL. HDL fluctuated from normal to low. Triglycerides stable around 100. Started taking RYR over a year ago, 3 tabs each evening, total cholesterol dropped to 172, HDL 53, LDL 99 (was 135), Triglycerides 100. I watch what I eat, no trans fats, olive oil when possible, cook mostly at home. I’m exercising, but still working on losing weight! RYR does work from my experience. My Endocrinologist encourages me to take it, since I refused to start a statin drug.
Would Brewers Yeast have the same effect?