藥英文：紅麴 Red yeast

◎文╱藥師藍偉玲

red yeast  [rɛd] [jist]
 紅麴

ferment (vt.) [fɚˈmɛnt]
發酵

supplement (n.) [ˋsʌpləmənt]
保健食品

Red yeast, produced by fermenting yeast on rice, contains a compound called monacolin K. Monacolin K, similar to statins, helps lower blood cholesterol levels and is commonly found in dietary supplements for hyperlipidemia.
紅麴是透過在米上酵母發酵所製成，它的成分含有monacolin K，一種類似statin藥物的化合物。Monacolin K與其他statin類藥物相似，有助於降低血液中的膽固醇，並常見於用於改善高血脂症的保健食品中。