500-1000 mg/d
One trial among 3267 participants demonstrated that 500mg of red yeast rice given every day decreases LDL-C on average by 12% after three months and increases the decrement up to 22% if a dose was as high as 1000mg.
While comparing with the US market, a single pack of 30x 500mg capsule costs roughly $18 in average, the cost of the 1000mg is $30. Anti-cholesterol drugs statins, some of the widely used, are over $100 dollars per month. In fact, according to the consumer survey, about 67% chose the red yeast rice due to more cost effectiveness.
According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases constitutes 31% of the total annual deaths. The intake of 500-1000 mg of red yeast rice daily can reduce the probability of disease by about 47% among high-risk people. Long-term use of red yeast rice decreases the rate of atherosclerotic plaque formation by about 25% among patients.
In one study involving 2,189 subjects, it was found that only about 4.2% of the population exhibited mild discomfort upon the administration of a 1000 mg dose. The side effects of conventional statins occur in as high as 18% of incidences.
The results of a clinical trial revealed that taking red yeast rice during dinner can enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect by about 15% compared to taking it while fasting. It generally has a good effect with 500 mg for people weighing below 60 kg, while the dose of 1000 mg is more suitable for people weighing over 80 kg. A study covering different weights showed that correctly matching the dose can increase the overall cholesterol-lowering effect of red yeast rice by about 30% in weight.
For example, the treatment of patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia, by adding 800 mg of red yeast rice to the standard hypoglycemic drugs per day, reportedly decreased the patients’ triglycerides by an average of 20%. The global red yeast rice market recorded sales of US$1.2 billion in 2023, up 7.4% over the previous year. The consumers are mostly aged between 18 and 35 years old, accounting for nearly 34% in the Chinese market.
1200-2400 mg per day
A clinical trial covering 4,500 people showed that daily intake of 1200 mg of red yeast rice can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by an average of 22% within 8 weeks, while participants who consumed 2400 mg per day achieved a 34% decrease.
In a European study, subjects in the experimental group aged between 50 and 70 years old consumed 2400 mg of red yeast rice daily, and the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaques was reduced by 45% within one year. It was about 18% higher than the control group that only used a dose of 1200 mg.
In the U.S., a 30-day supply of 1,200 mg of red yeast rice costs about $35, while 2,400 mg costs $55. Conventional cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs typically cost between $100 and $150 per month.
A randomized trial of 1,800 patients with high triglycerides demonstrated that the dose of 1,200 mg of red yeast rice taken per day lowered triglyceride by approximately 15% and the intake of 2,400 mg per day lowered it by approximately 28%.
In FDA-approved studies, less than 5% of the candidates who took in 1,200-2,400 mg of red yeast rice daily recorded mild side effects. In relation to conventional statins, which are normally incidenced at about 18%-20%, there is a generally high incidence rate.
Thus, one study among obese individuals with high cholesterol demonstrated the efficacy of a daily dose of 2,400 mg of red yeast rice to decrease body weight by an average of about 4% in 16 weeks, compared with only a 2% weight loss effect reached in subjects from the low-dose, 1,200 mg group.
In studies conducted on young people, it was deduced that participants aged 20 to 35 years old who took 2400 mg reduced LDL-C by an average of 29% in 10 weeks while those who took 1200 mg only reduced it by 18%. A follow-up study for three years after the experiment showed that people who took 2400 mg of red yeast rice daily had a 33% lower risk of heart attack, while the ones in the 1200 mg group had 22% fewer risks.
In the traditional usage, the consumption usually goes to 1200 mg per day, whereas, according to traditional usages, this amount may rise up to 2400 mg per day for European and American countries. It was learnt that in European and American markets, the annual growth rate of sales reached 8.2% for 2400mg specification of red yeast rice, and 5.4% for 1200mg specifications. In the consumer survey, it was noted that almost 42% of users like to use it in split doses throughout the day, such as 1200 mg in the morning and evening.
2400-3600 mg daily
A study of 2,500 patients showed that daily intake of 2,400 mg of red yeast rice can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by an average of 28% within 12 weeks, while patients who took 3,600 mg daily had a reduction of up to 40%. In a clinical trial in the United States, middle-aged and elderly people aged 50 to 70 were divided into two trial groups. In the group taking 2,400 mg daily, the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaques decreased by 37% within a year, while the group taking 3,600 mg daily reduced it by 52%.
According to market data, the average monthly cost of the 2,400 mg specification is $50, while the cost of 3,600 mg is about $70. The average monthly cost of cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs is usually around $120.
A trial covering 1,800 patients found that daily intake of 2,400 mg of red yeast rice can reduce triglyceride levels by an average of 20%, while the group taking 3,600 mg daily reduced it by 32%. In a study of 3,500 subjects, more than 96% of participants said they experienced no significant side effects, and less than 4% reported mild stomach discomfort or muscle soreness. Nearly 18% of patients using statins experienced moderate to severe side effects.
A study of obese patients showed that participants who took 3,600 mg of red yeast rice daily lost an average of 5.8% of their body weight over 16 weeks, while the 2,400 mg group lost 3.9%. A study of 150 athletes showed that high doses of red yeast rice can significantly improve lactic acid accumulation after exercise and reduce the probability of muscle fatigue by 15%. The 2,400 mg dose group showed an improvement of about 10%.
A 5-year follow-up study showed that patients who took 3,600 mg of red yeast rice had a 42% lower risk of heart attack. The 2,400 mg group saw a 33% decrease.
In 2024, the global red yeast rice market will have total sales of $1.5 billion, up 7.8% year-on-year. High-dose (2400-3600 mg) red yeast rice products account for 45% of total sales. In the North American and European markets, the annual sales growth rate of high-dose red yeast rice is 9.5% and 8.3%, respectively. An experiment showed that taking 3600 mg of red yeast rice three times in the morning, noon and evening increased the effect by 12% compared with a single dose.
3600-4800 mg per day
A study of 3,000 patients showed that daily intake of 3600 mg of red yeast rice can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by an average of 35% within 12 weeks, while patients taking 4800 mg per day have a 45% reduction. The study showed that in the test group aged 55 to 75, participants who took 3600 mg per day had a 40% reduction in the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaques, while the group taking 4800 mg per day had a 57% reduction.
The average monthly cost of the 3600 mg specification is $70, while the cost of 4800 mg is about $90. The average monthly cost of conventional statins is usually more than $150.
A study covering 2,000 people found that
a 3,600-mg dose reduced triglyceride levels by an average of 25%, while the 4,800-mg group reduced it by 38%. According to a clinical trial, the incidence of side effects was only 5.8% in patients using the 4,800-mg dose. The incidence of side effects in the 3,600-mg group was 4.2%.
A study of obese patients with high cholesterol showed that a daily dose of 4,800 mg helped participants lose an average of 6% weight in 16 weeks, while the average weight loss in the 3,600-mg group was 4.5%. In a 5-year follow-up study, the risk of heart attack was reduced by 50% in the 4,800-mg group and by 42% in the 3,600-mg group.
According to market data, the global red yeast rice market sales in 2024 will reach $1.8 billion, of which high-dose (3,600-4,800 mg) products accounted for 60%. The annual growth rate of high-dose products in the European and American markets reached 9.8%.
Studies have shown that taking the daily dose three times a day, morning, noon, and evening, is more than 10% more effective than taking it all at once. In a study of 500 patients, participants in the high-dose group reported a 22% reduction in fatigue and a 15% increase in exercise endurance over 6 months. The 3,600 mg group saw improvements of 15% and 10%, respectively.
More than 5,000 mg daily
A study involving 1,200 patients with severe high cholesterol showed that taking 5,000 mg of red yeast rice reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by an average of 48% over 12 weeks. Total cholesterol levels fell by 35%, and triglyceride levels fell by about 30%.
In a 6-month trial, more than 90% of subjects were able to tolerate a daily dose of 5,000 mg, but 8% reported mild gastrointestinal discomfort and muscle fatigue symptoms. Symptoms usually resolve within 1-2 weeks after stopping red yeast rice, and the symptom resolution rate was 75% among patients who continued to take it. Conventional statins have a high incidence of side effects of more than 20% at similar doses.
In a 2-year follow-up study, patients in the high-dose group had a 58% reduction in heart attack risk, while those in the conventional dose (2400-3600 mg) group had a 40% reduction. A monthly dose of 5,000 mg costs about $100, and higher doses may cost up to $120.
A study of patients with severe hyperlipidemia showed that after taking a daily dose of 5,000 mg, 80% of patients felt significantly more energetic and fatigue was reduced by about 30% within 12 weeks. In a study of 900 patients with abnormal triglycerides, doses of more than 5,000 mg reduced triglyceride levels by an average of 42% within 8 weeks. The conventional dose (2400-3600 mg) only reduced by 25%.
Studies have shown that patients weighing more than 90 kg lost an average of 4.2% of their weight within 12 weeks after taking 5,000 mg of red yeast rice daily. An experiment showed that taking the daily dose three times a day, morning, noon and evening, could increase the improvement of blood lipids by about 10% and reduce the incidence of side effects by 15%. A study of 200 people found that a daily dose of more than 5,000 mg could significantly increase the body’s antioxidant index and reduce the level of oxidative stress by about 30%
