A fermented rice product whose active compound is the same as a prescription cholesterol medication. It reliably lowers bad and total cholesterol to a similar degree, may reduce repeat heart problems, and can help some people who cannot tolerate those drugs. Its value hinges on choosing an independently tested, contaminant-free product and treating it like a medication. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LDL-C | < 100 mg/dL (lower with high cardiovascular risk) | Primary target of the intervention |
| ApoB | < 80 mg/dL (< 60 mg/dL if high risk) | Counts atherogenic particles more accurately than LDL-C |
| Total Cholesterol | < 200 mg/dL | Tracks overall response |
| Triglycerides | < 100 mg/dL | Secondary lipid target |
| HDL-C | > 50 mg/dL (women), > 40 mg/dL (men) | Context for overall lipid picture |
| Lp(a) | < 30 mg/dL (< 75 nmol/L) | Baseline inherited risk not altered by this product |
| ALT / AST | < 25 U/L (women), < 30 U/L (men) | Detects liver stress from statin-type activity |
| Creatine Kinase (CK) | Sex-specific reference; ideally low-normal | Flags muscle injury |
| hs-CRP | < 1.0 mg/L | Optional marker of inflammation and residual risk |
| HbA1c | < 5.4% | Screens for the statin-class blood sugar effect |
| CoQ10 | Within lab reference range | Optional if fatigue or muscle symptoms arise |
Cadence: Recheck lipids and liver enzymes at ~6–12 weeks after starting or changing dose, then every 6–12 months once stable; creatine kinase whenever unexplained muscle symptoms appear.