Researchers say that a lifestyle change combined with consumption of red yeast rice and fish oil may reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) cholesterol in proportions similar to standard therapy with simvastatin. A randomized trial of 74 patients who met Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for primary prevention using statin therapy was conducted. The patients received either 40 milligrams a day of simvastatin, or alternative treatment including therapeutic lifestyle changes, ingestion of red yeast rice, and fish oil supplements for 12 weeks. The simvastatin group received medication and traditional counseling. The researchers found a statistically significant reduction in LDL-C levels in both groups. The alternative treatment group also showed significant reductions in triglycerides and weight compared with the simvastatin group.
Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings. volume 83, number 7; page 758-764