Large analysis of studies shows the effects of Red Yeast Rice are comparable to statin drugs without major side effects

Scientists at the University of Tromso in Norway analyzed the data from 93 randomized, placebo-controlled human clinical trials covering 9625 study participants evaluating the ability of Red Yeast Rice to lower cholesterol. The researched showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol levels by 35 mg/dl, a significant drop in triglycerides of 36mg/dl, and a similarly significant drop in LDL-cholesterol (lowered by a significant 22%), and a healthy 13 point increase in HDL-cholesterol by Red Yeast Rice treatments vs. placebo (all values represent the average and not the extreme effects). The cholesterol modification effects appeared similar to commonly used statin drugs. Side effects were minor if they did occur. The study is published in the November 2006 issue of the British journal Chinese Medicine.

Red Yeast Rice Extract reduces cholesterol and inflammation and improves heart function

Cardiac Syndrome X is a clinical condition that produces angina-like chest pain during exertion accompanied with poor blood flow to the heart (ischemia). The difference between this and coronary artery disease is that there is no clogging of the hearts arteries. This syndrome is found more often in pre-menopausal women and it is connected to conditions such as panic attacks and fibromyalgia.
In this study 36 patients with Cardiac Syndrome X were randomly given either a Chinese Red Yeast Rice Extract or placebo for 90 days. The Red Yeast Rice Extract produced a significant 19% decrease in total cholesterol, 26% drop in LDL-cholesterol, and a 16% decrease in triglycerides compared with the start of the study.
The Red Yeast Rice Extract reduced adjusted CRP by 44% (log CRP). CRP is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and possibly colon cancer. Elevated CRP is a predictor of stroke, heart attack, and increased risk of dying. The Red Yeast Rice improved the ability to exercise by inhibiting stress on the heart muscle. The study was performed at Peking Union Medical College and is published in the December 27th, 2006 issue of the International Journal of Cardiology.

Red Yeast Rice decreases the risk of second heart attack and dying in heart attack survivors

This study included 2135 patients who had a heart attack within the last one to three month period (Group 1) before the start of the study and 2735 patients who had a heart attack within 3 months to 5 years (Group 2) before the start of the study. They received either a Red Yeast Rice preparation capsule or inactive placebo. The occurrence of coronary events (either a heart attack or heart related death) was decreased by 56.7% with a 48.6% decrease in all cause mortality in Group 1 compared to patients on placebo. The risk of coronary events decreased by 35.3% and all-cause mortality fell by 20% in Group 2. The study is published in the January 2006 issue of the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine.

Adding Red Yeast Rice to conventional therapy dramatically cuts the risk of dying or suffering a heart attack in diabetics with coronary heart disease

In coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease) fatty deposits build up on the lining of blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. The narrowing decreases the supply of blood to the heart resulting in chest pain known as angina. Coronary heart disease increases the risk of heart attack and even stroke and it is a precursor to heart failure. Events related to coronary heart disease are the leading cause of death in the US.
In this study 591 diabetics with coronary heart disease were supplemented with either Red Yeast Rice or inactive placebo in addition to conventional therapy in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants were followed for an average of 4 years. The patients taking Red Yeast Rice were protected from dying; the incidence of dying from a coronary heart disease related event dropped by 44.1%. The total number of coronary heart disease related events dropped by 50.8%. The number of people who suffered with a non-fatal heart attack dropped by 63.8%. The incidence of stroke and cancer dropped by 20.2% and death due to all causes dropped by 44.1%. The need to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions (using a catheter in the heart such as in angioplasty) decreased by over 20%. The study was performed at the Cardiovascular Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in Beijing, and is published in the December 2005 issue of the Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Red Yeast Rice preparation decreases the risk of dying from a stroke, heart attack, or sudden cardiac death in diabetics with heart disease

A total of 591 diabetic patients who also had coronary heart disease (CHD) were given either a Red Yeast Rice preparation or inactive placebo for comparisons sake. They were followed for 4 years on average. Red Yeast Rice decreased the risk of a CHD related event such as a heart attack by 50.8% vs. placebo. The risk of dying from a heart attack dropped by 58.5%, and the incidence of non-fatal heart attack dropped by 63.8%. Sudden cardiac death dropped by 27%, and death related to other incidents related to CHD (not fatal MI or sudden cardiac death) dropped by 53.4%. The study is published in the February 2007 issue of the American published journal the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.
Red Yeast Rice lowers cholesterol and improves cholesterol ratios
In this newly published study 79 patients with high cholesterol received either 600mg of Red Yeast Rice twice a day or placebo for 8 weeks. The Red Yeast Rice significantly lowered cholesterol and LDL, and improved lipid ratios (cholesterol/HDL, LDL/HDL) vs. placebo. The study is published in the June 2007 issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.

Another study shows that Red Yeast Rice decreases the risk of heart attack and other coronary events in diabetics

A Red Yeast Rice preparation or inactive placebo was used in 591 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. The patients were followed for 4 years on average. Red Yeast Rice decreased the risk of coronary heart disease events such as a heart attack by 50.8%. The risk of a fatal heart attack dropped by 58.5%, and decreased the risk of non-fatal heart attack by 63.8%. Sudden cardiac death dropped by 27%, and other deadly events related to heart disease dropped by 53.4%. The study is published in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.