What are the health benefits of red yeast rice?

Red yeast rice has been touted as a supplement that can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as increase healthy HDL cholesterol. The rumors are true because the active ingredient is identical to a commonly used pharmaceutical statin drug. But because herbs are harvested without tight controls, you don't know exactly what you're getting inside the pill. For the same cost, you're better off using another supplement such as niacin or pantothenic acid.