Red yeast rice (RYR), produced by the fermentation of the Monascus purpureus mold, has been used for a long time in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. It consists of multiple bioactive substances, including monacolins, which potentially can be used as a nutraceutical. Monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin, has been recognized as responsible for the cholesterol-reducing effect of this compound. While the European Food Safety Authority maintains that the use of monacolin K from RYR preparations of at least 10 mg can produce a normal blood cholesterol level, the United States Food and Drug Administration considers monacolin K, due to its similarity with lovastatin, an unapproved drug, and therefore marketing of products that label the monacolin content is prohibited. This mini-review summarizes the benefit of RYR in hyperlipidemia, maintains RYR use as a food, and addresses the importance of regulation regarding RYR and the need for clinical data and clear label information for consumers with reference to a toxin-free, non-augmented, standardized amount of monacolins.

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Cannabis (medical marijuana) is generally considered a low toxicity drug. The plant belongs to the family Cannabaceae (Urticales). Two main species may be recognized: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Plants of this species contain many psychoactive components, the cannabinoids, including the primary psychoactive compound Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active substance present in Marijuana. The history of its cultivation and use dates back thousands of years. A possible first documented use for medical purposes of this drug is found in Chinese records dated from 28th century BC. Moreover, the presence of THC has been detected in several internal organs from an Egyptian mummy with a 14C‐dating of approximately 950 BC. Evidence of therapeutic potential for marijuana and its components has been suggested for a large number of medical conditions. Despite this, a variety of cardiovascular complications have been documented. Dysregulation of the endogenous lipid mediators endocannabinoids and their G‐protein‐coupled cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 has been, in fact, linked to different cardiovascular pathologies. Here, we describe a timely update of possible cardiovascular effects of its use for medical purposes.

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