Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) comes from a microscopic fungus, Monascus purpureus, which produces a characteristic red pigment on rice.

Red yeast rice contains several molecules called monacolins, including monacolin K. Monacolin K has interesting properties on cholesterol levels. The daily consumption of 10 mg of monacolin K from red yeast rice helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels.