| This 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of fish oil and red yeast rice on selected cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypercholesterolemic men. Forty-three subjects were randomized to one of four groups: (1) 6.0 g oil placebo/day + 2.4 g red yeast rice placebo/day; (2) 6.0 g fish oil/day (containing 3.26 g EPA + DHA) + 2.4 g red yeast rice placebo/day; (3) 6.0 g oil placebo/day + 2.4 g red yeast rice/day; (4) 6.0 g fish oil/day + 2.4 g red yeast rice/day. Mean plasma TC, LDL-C, apo B-100, and non-HDL-C concentrations were significantly decreased in the red yeast rice group and in the combination group. Mean plasma TG levels were significantly decreased in the fish oil group and in the combination group. In conclusion, the combination of fish oil plus red yeast rice was well tolerated with beneficial effects on lipid and lipoprotein concentrations beyond that obtained upon supplementation with fish oil or red yeast rice alone. |
