Chinese cooks add red yeast rice to some dishes, such as Peking Duck and spareribs, to achieve a red color.

CNN: Studies: Chemical in some Chinese cuisine can lower cholesterol

Red yeast rice, in particular, is a supplement that should be taken only under the supervision of a health-care professional.

CNN: How can I pick the healthiest brand of red yeast rice?

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the imports of red yeast rice from China, saying it was a drug and not a supplement.

CNN: Studies: Chemical in some Chinese cuisine can lower cholesterol

The supplements have a higher concentration of red yeast rice than one would find in foods, according to Dr. James Rippe, one of the co-authors of the U.S. Cholestin study.

CNN: Studies: Chemical in some Chinese cuisine can lower cholesterol

While red yeast rice has no known drug interactions and fewer side effects than statins, it could theoretically interfere with other medications and should be avoided by women who are pregnant or nursing and people with severe liver or kidney disease.

CNN: How can I pick the healthiest brand of red yeast rice?

For example, there was something called red rice yeast that's been used as a dietary supplement in Asia for a long time.

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It might turn out to be ineffective or it might turn out to be effective and something like red rice yeast will happen.

NPR: Slate's Medical Examiner: Doubts on Supplements

Cholestin is a supplement made from rice fermented in red yeast.

CNN: Studies: Chemical in some Chinese cuisine can lower cholesterol