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Supplement × Supplement·Evidence index

Berberine and Red Yeast Rice: what the research found

PubMed indexes 8 records that name Berberine and Red Yeast Rice together, either in the title or in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context. The key findings come first, in the authors’ own words, followed by every study with its design and PubMed link.

A summary of published research, not medical advice. A pharmacist can check any combination against your full list of medicines and supplements.

Key findings

What the studies concluded.

Reviews and human studies first. Each quote is the authors’ own conclusion about their study, not a NutriStack assessment, and a single study is not a consensus.

“This meta-analysis confirms that the nutraceutical combination containing berberine, policosanol, and red yeast rice has shown to be an effective product for the improvement of the lipid profile.”

Millán et al. · 2016 · Review or meta-analysis · details

“Red yeast rice products and Armolipid may be used as an alternative treatment in statin intolerant patients, especially in combination with ezetimibe. These nutraceutics can be also considered, as an adjunct to diet therapy in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in patients with mild and moderate hypercholesterolaemia. The opinion of experts on berberine and bergamot is ambiguous.”

Kłosiewicz-Latoszek et al. · 2021 · Human study · details

“These considerations suggest that combined administration of RYR and berberine may provide a broader range of health protection than is afforded by prescription statin therapy, with lower risks for serious adverse effects compared with statins. Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of optimal intakes of RYR and berberine on serum lipids and other vascular risk factors are needed.”

The research

8 studies naming Berberine and Red Yeast Rice.

Strongest relevance first: papers naming both substances in the title, then human trials and systematic reviews.

Effects of a nutraceutical combination containing berberine (BRB), policosanol, and red yeast rice (RYR), on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic patients: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Clinica e investigacion en arteriosclerosis : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Arteriosclerosis · 2016 · PMID 27131395

Meta-AnalysisHuman subjects

“This meta-analysis confirms that the nutraceutical combination containing berberine, policosanol, and red yeast rice has shown to be an effective product for the improvement of the lipid profile.”

Millán et al. · Authors' conclusion

Names both Berberine and Red Yeast Rice in its title.

Long-term effects of nutraceuticals (berberine, red yeast rice, policosanol) in elderly hypercholesterolemic patients.

Advances in therapy · 2011 · PMID 22113535

Randomized Controlled Trial

“In this study the authors have demonstrated that combined nutraceuticals significantly reduce cholesterolemia and achieved acceptable plasma LDL-C levels in elderly hypercholesterolemic patients who were previously statin-intolerant. Combined nutraceuticals is also safe and well tolerated in these patients.”

Marazzi et al. · Authors' conclusion

Names both Berberine and Red Yeast Rice in its title.

Effects of a nutraceutical combination (berberine, red yeast rice and policosanols) on lipid levels and endothelial function randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD · 2010 · PMID 19699071

Randomized Controlled Trial

“This NC reduces cholesterol levels. The reduction is associated with improved endothelial function and insulin sensitivity.”

Affuso et al. · Authors' conclusion

Names both Berberine and Red Yeast Rice in its title.

Hypolipaemic nutraceutics: red yeast rice and Armolipid, berberine and bergamot.

Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM · 2021 · PMID 33775071

ReviewHuman subjects

“Red yeast rice products and Armolipid may be used as an alternative treatment in statin intolerant patients, especially in combination with ezetimibe. These nutraceutics can be also considered, as an adjunct to diet therapy in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in patients with mild and moderate hypercholesterolaemia. The opinion of experts on berberine and bergamot is ambiguous.”

Kłosiewicz-Latoszek et al. · Authors' conclusion

Names both Berberine and Red Yeast Rice in its title.

Red Yeast Rice Plus Berberine: Practical Strategy for Promoting Vascular and Metabolic Health.

Alternative therapies in health and medicine · 2015 · PMID 26308759

ReviewHuman subjects

“These considerations suggest that combined administration of RYR and berberine may provide a broader range of health protection than is afforded by prescription statin therapy, with lower risks for serious adverse effects compared with statins. Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of optimal intakes of RYR and berberine on serum lipids and other vascular risk factors are needed.”

McCarty et al. · From the abstract

Names both Berberine and Red Yeast Rice in its title.

Efficacy and Tolerability of a Nutraceutical Combination (Red Yeast Rice, Policosanols, and Berberine) in Patients with Low-Moderate Risk Hypercholesterolemia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental · 2014 · PMID 26649075

“In patients with low- to moderate-risk hypercholesterolemia a nutraceutical combination in association with a hypolipidic diet significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C levels and may favor the reaching the recommended cholesterol targets. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02078167.”

Gonnelli et al. · Authors' conclusion

Names both Berberine and Red Yeast Rice in its title.

Limitations

What this evidence cannot tell you.

Search-based evidence indexes have real limits, and it is worth being explicit about them:

How to read this page

A literature summary, not guidance.

NutriStack

Track what you actually take.

NutriStack is a free iPhone app for organising a supplement routine: what you take, when, and what the published record says about it. Its exploratory interaction checker covers Berberine, Red Yeast Rice, and several hundred other substances.

Log your routine, get reminders at the times you choose, and scan a label to add a product. The checker is a research and organisation tool, not a clinical decision aid.

NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.