Red Yeast Rice | Policosanol & Plant Sterols | Cholesterol and Heart Support | 60 Vegan Capsules

Each capsule contains three complementary medicinal ingredients targeting cholesterol metabolism through distinct and complementary mechanisms: 250mg of Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpurea fermented Oryza sativa, 0.2% monacolin K), 20mg of Policosanol (Saccharum officinarum, sugarcane wax), and 375mg of Free Plant Sterols (Glycine max, soybean seed) including 337.5mg of combined beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Helps to maintain cardiovascular health. Helps to maintain cholesterol levels already within a normal range. Source of plant sterols. Health Canada approved (NPN 80081883). 100% vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Made in Canada in a quality controlled facility. 60 vegan capsules.

Important: This product is formulated to help maintain cholesterol levels already within a normal range. It is not intended for individuals with clinically elevated cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). Consult a healthcare professional before use, particularly if you are taking statin medications or other cholesterol lowering drugs.

Key Benefits

• Helps to maintain cardiovascular health
• Helps to maintain cholesterol levels already within a normal range
• Source of plant sterols
• Three complementary mechanisms in one capsule: HMG-CoA reductase inhibition, intestinal cholesterol absorption reduction, and policosanol activity
• 250mg Red Yeast Rice (0.2% monacolin K) per capsule
• 375mg Free Plant Sterols per capsule (337.5mg beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol)
• 20mg Policosanol from sugarcane wax per capsule
• Health Canada approved (NPN 80081883)
• 60 vegan capsules (60-day supply at 1 capsule per day)
• Made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility
• 100% vegan and non-GMO
• Gluten-free and dairy-free

Three Ingredients, Three Mechanisms

What distinguishes this formula from single ingredient cholesterol support supplements is the combination of three medicinal ingredients that address cholesterol metabolism through distinct and complementary pathways. Understanding each mechanism helps explain the rationale for this combination.

Ingredient 1: Red Yeast Rice and Monacolin K

Red Yeast Rice is produced by fermenting white rice (Oryza sativa) with the mold Monascus purpurea. This fermentation process produces a range of bioactive compounds called monacolins, of which monacolin K is the most pharmacologically significant. This formula uses Red Yeast Rice standardized to 0.2% monacolin K, delivering 0.5mg of monacolin K per capsule.

Monacolin K and HMG-CoA Reductase: Monacolin K is structurally identical to lovastatin, a prescription statin medication. Its primary mechanism of action is inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase), the rate limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway the biochemical pathway by which the liver synthesizes cholesterol. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, monacolin K reduces the liver's endogenous cholesterol synthesis. This is the same mechanism by which all statin drugs work.

The Mevalonate Pathway: HMG CoA reductase converts HMG CoA to mevalonate, the first committed step in cholesterol biosynthesis. The liver synthesizes approximately 70 to 80% of the body's total cholesterol endogenously, with the remainder coming from dietary sources. Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase therefore addresses the primary source of cholesterol in the body.

Monacolin K and CoQ10: The mevalonate pathway produces not only cholesterol but also coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. HMG CoA reductase inhibition reduces CoQ10 synthesis alongside cholesterol synthesis. This is a known effect of all HMG  CoA reductase inhibitors including monacolin K. Individuals using this product long term may wish to discuss CoQ10 supplementation with their healthcare provider.

Citrinin-Free Quality Standard: Red Yeast Rice products can vary significantly in quality. A mycotoxin called citrinin, produced by some Monascus fermentation processes, can be present in poorly manufactured red yeast rice and is associated with kidney toxicity. Quality red yeast rice supplements are tested to confirm the absence of citrinin. This formula is manufactured in Canada under quality controlled conditions to meet purity standards.

Ingredient 2: Free Plant Sterols

Plant sterols (phytosterols) are naturally occurring compounds found in plant cell membranes that are structurally similar to cholesterol. This formula provides 375mg of free plant sterols per capsule from soybean (Glycine max), including 337.5mg of combined beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol the three most abundant and well-studied plant sterols.

Mechanism — Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption: Plant sterols work through a fundamentally different mechanism from monacolin K. Rather than reducing cholesterol synthesis in the liver, plant sterols reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine. In the small intestine, dietary cholesterol and biliary cholesterol (cholesterol secreted into bile by the liver) are solubilized into mixed micelles the structures that transport lipids to the intestinal wall for absorption. Plant sterols compete with cholesterol for incorporation into these mixed micelles. Because plant sterols are structurally similar to cholesterol but are preferentially incorporated into micelles over cholesterol, they displace cholesterol from the micelles, reducing the amount of cholesterol available for absorption. The displaced cholesterol is then excreted in stool.

Beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol, and Stigmasterol: These are the three primary plant sterols in this formula. Beta-sitosterol is the most abundant plant sterol in the human diet, found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Campesterol and stigmasterol are also widely distributed in plant foods. Together they represent the most studied and most effective plant sterol combination for intestinal cholesterol absorption support.

Free vs. Esterified Plant Sterols: Plant sterols are available in two forms: free (unesterified) sterols and plant sterol esters. This formula uses free plant sterols. Free plant sterols are the naturally occurring form found in plant foods and are the form used in the majority of clinical research on plant sterol supplementation.

Complementary to Monacolin K: Because plant sterols reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption while monacolin K reduces hepatic cholesterol synthesis, these two mechanisms are complementary and address cholesterol from two different directions simultaneously.

Ingredient 3: Policosanol

Policosanol is a mixture of long-chain aliphatic alcohols derived from the wax of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). The primary components of policosanol are octacosanol (C28), triacontanol (C30), and hexacosanol (C26), with octacosanol being the most abundant. This formula provides 20mg of policosanol per capsule from sugarcane wax.

Source: Sugarcane wax policosanol is the most extensively studied form of policosanol. It is distinct from policosanol derived from other plant waxes (such as beeswax or rice bran wax), which have different fatty alcohol compositions and a different research profile. This formula uses Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) as the source, consistent with the most studied form.

Mechanism: The precise mechanism of policosanol's effects on cholesterol metabolism is not fully established. Proposed mechanisms include inhibition of cholesterol synthesis at steps upstream of HMG CoA reductase, modulation of LDL receptor activity, and effects on platelet aggregation. Policosanol is included in this formula as a complementary ingredient alongside the more mechanistically established red yeast rice and plant sterols.

Understanding the Dosage

Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpurea-fermented Oryza sativa, 0.2% monacolin K): 250mg per capsule (0.5mg monacolin K)
Policosanol (Saccharum officinarum, wax): 20mg per capsule
Free Plant Sterols (Glycine max, seed): 375mg per capsule (337.5mg beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol)
Suggested Use: As directed by a healthcare practitioner
Total Capsules: 60 (60-day supply at 1 capsule per day)
Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Magnesium stearate, hypromellose (vegetable capsule shell)

Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use. This product is intended to help maintain cholesterol levels already within a normal range and is not a substitute for medical treatment of elevated cholesterol.

Who May Consider This Product

• Individuals with cholesterol levels already within a normal range seeking nutritional support to help maintain that balance
• Those wanting a three ingredient formula addressing cholesterol metabolism through complementary mechanisms
• People seeking a source of plant sterols alongside red yeast rice
• Those wanting cardiovascular health support from a Health Canada approved formula
• Vegans and vegetarians
• Those seeking a Canadian made cardiovascular support supplement

Quality and Purity

• Health Canada approved (NPN 80081883)
• Red Yeast Rice standardized to 0.2% monacolin K
• Free plant sterols from soybean (Glycine max)
• Policosanol from sugarcane wax (Saccharum officinarum)
• Vegan capsules (hypromellose)
• 60 capsules (60-day supply)
• Made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility
• 100% vegan and non-GMO
• Gluten-free and dairy-free

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep bottle tightly sealed.

Safety Information

Do not use this product if you are taking statin medications (such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, or other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). Monacolin K in red yeast rice has the same mechanism of action as statin drugs. Combining this product with statin medications significantly increases the risk of serious adverse effects including myopathy (muscle pain and weakness) and rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown). Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are taking any cholesterol-lowering medications.

Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver disease, kidney disease, or thyroid disorders, or are taking medications including fibrates, niacin, cyclosporine, or azole antifungals. This product contains soy-derived plant sterols; individuals with soy allergies should consult a healthcare provider before use. Long-term use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors including monacolin K may reduce coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels; discuss CoQ10 supplementation with your healthcare provider if using this product long-term. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This product is intended to help maintain cholesterol levels already within a normal range and is not intended for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (clinically elevated cholesterol).

Keep out of reach of children.

This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80081883).

About Red Yeast Rice | Policosanol & Plant Sterols | Three Mechanism Cholesterol Support

This formula combines three medicinal ingredients that address cholesterol metabolism through complementary mechanisms: Red Yeast Rice (250mg, 0.2% monacolin K) inhibits HMG-CoA reductase to reduce hepatic cholesterol synthesis; Free Plant Sterols (375mg from soybean) compete with cholesterol for intestinal absorption via mixed micelle displacement; and Policosanol (20mg from sugarcane wax) provides complementary support. Together these three ingredients address both the primary source of cholesterol in the body (hepatic synthesis, approximately 70 to 80% of total cholesterol) and the secondary source (intestinal absorption). Health Canada approved (NPN 80081883) for helping to maintain cardiovascular health, helping to maintain cholesterol levels already within a normal range, and as a source of plant sterols. 100% vegan and made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility.