Low daily dose of 3 mg monacolin K from RYR reduces the concentration of LDL-C in a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention

verfasst von

Tina Heinz, Jan Philipp Schuchardt, Katharina Möller, Peyman Hadji, Andreas Hahn

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia and elevated homocysteine concentrations are associated with cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have demonstrated a cholesterol-lowering effect of red yeast rice (RYR) supplements which contained 5 to 10 mg of monacolin K. We hypothesized that the intake of a low monacolin K dose may likewise reduce low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL-C) and other plasma lipids. In secondary analyses, we tested the homocysteine lowering effect of folic acid, which was also included in the study preparation. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled intervention study. One hundred forty-two nonstatin-treated participants with hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C ≥ 4.14 ≤ 5.69 mmol/L) were randomized to the supplement group with RYR or the placebo group. Participants of the supplement group consumed 3 mg monacolin K and 200 μg folic acid per day. A significant (P < .001) reduction of LDL-C (−14.8%), total cholesterol (−11.2%), and homocysteine (−12.5%) was determined in the supplement group after 12 weeks. A total of 51% of the participants treated with RYR achieved the limit of LDL-C <4.14 mmol/L advised and 26% reached the threshold level of homocysteine <10 μmol/L. No significant changes were exhibited within the placebo group. Other parameters remained unchanged and no intolerances or serious adverse events were observed. In conclusion, we demonstrated that a low dose of daily 3 mg monacolin K from RYR reduces the concentration of LDL-C; a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Lebensmittelwissenschaft und Humanernährung
Abteilung Ernährungsphysiologie und Humanernährung

Externe Organisation(en)

Krankenhaus Nordwest, Frankfurt

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Nutrition research

Band

36

Seiten

1162-1170

Anzahl der Seiten

9

ISSN

0271-5317

Publikationsdatum

01.10.2016

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Stoffwechsel, Endokrinologie, Ernährung und Diätetik

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 3 – Gute Gesundheit und Wohlergehen

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2016.07.005 (Zugang: Offen)