Red yeast rice is a traditional ingredient in East Asia, known for its cholesterol-lowering properties and has become popular in the West for use in various dietary supplements. It is produced by inoculating white rice with the Monascus purpureus fungus, which initiates the fermentation process during which bioactive compounds called monacolins are formed.

In Semptember 2018, an Inter-company Position Paper focused on the management of hypercholesterolemia was published. It is an article signed by Medical Doctors from all over Italy, which examined hypercholesterolemia as one of the most common public health issues and highlights the possible nutraceutical solutions available on the market today and showing evidence of activity on cholesterol.