Red yeast rice is the product of rice fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. It contains Monacolin K with is identical to a statin drug. Red yeast rice contains 10 different monacolins of which Monacolin K is the most abundant. People most commonly use red yeast rice for high levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. It is also sued for heart attach, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many other conditions. The scientific evidence to support many of these other uses is poor. More studies are needed.