Monacolin K in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia - chance or threat?

Introduction Hypercholesterolemia is a primary element leading to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, which are the most common cause of death worldwide. One of the most effective drugs used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia are statins. Monacolin K is a naturally derived substance that exhibits similar effects. Materials and methods The review of studies that follows is based on peer-reviewed scientific publications that may be found on PubMed, Google Scholar and CrossRef. The terms "monacolin K," "hypercholesterolemia," and "monacolin K in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia" were among the most searched. Results Review of the literature shows that Monacolin K is a promising substance that exhibits similar effects to statins and like them contributes to improving lipid profile. Unfortunately, fermented wild rice preparations lack clear information on the exact content of Monacolin K. Additionally, it is almost exclusively available in the form of dietary supplements on the Polish market, which have not been subjected to rigorous studies, so their therapeutic effects have not been scientifically proven. Conclusion The result of the cited studies indicates that It is necessary to regulate the market of preparations containing fermented wild rice. The package should specify the exact content of the active substance and effectiveness should be confirmed by appropriate studies. It would be promising for preparations to be developed at the level of medication rather than dietary supplements