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Red Yeast Rice Extract


Red yeast rice extract

Benefits

  • Antioxidant
  • Cardioprotective
Red yeast rice (RYR) is a dietary supplement produced through fermenting yeast, usually Monascus purpureus, in white rice. The principal active compounds produced through the fermentation process in RYR are monacolins (including monacolins K, L, Q, R, and S) and pigments. The pigments are responsible for changing the color of the rice to red. RYR also contains organic acids, amino acids, sterols, decalin derivatives, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, coumarin and polysaccharides.

Red yeast rice is known for lowering blood cholesterol levels and preventing hepatic fat formation. This can help prevent or manage atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease in chickens.

NOTE: This supplement should not be given to birds concurrently receiving erythromycin, medications for fungal infections, other medications for high cholesterol, colchicine, fluconazole, niacin or St. John's wort.

Poultry Specific Studies

TypePlant PartDosageSpecific useResultsRef
ChickensGut healthImproved intestinal health in chickens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis.Y Lin et al., 2025
Quail0.96-1.92 mg/kgantioxidantsignificantly increased serum GSH-Px and SOD activity, increased serum IgG content, and reduced MDA content in laying hens who received this as a supplement in their feed.Y Zhu et al., 2020
Chickens10-80 mg/kg dietheat stressAffected the hepatic gene expression and protein production related to redox status, heat stress and inflammation, and lipid metabolism in chickens. S Tolba et al., 2020
Chickens0.96-1.92 mg/kgAntioxidantImproved egg yolk color, significantly increased serum GSH-Px and SOD activity, increased serum IgG content, and reduced MDA content in laying hensY Zhu et al., 2020
Chickens100 mg/kgThe inclusion of astaxanthin rich red yeast (100 mg/kg) in chicken's diets for 14 days improved T-cell proliferation and IgG production by 111.1 and 34.6% respectively.H Elwan et al., 2019
Chickens100 ppmantioxidantHelped alleviate structural damage to the digestive system in chickens under stress.M Ohh et al., 2016
Chickens100 ppmAntioxidantmight be helpful for alleviating structural damage to the digestive system in chickens under certain stressful conditions.M Ohh et al., 2016
Chickens0.5-5 g/kg for 8 wksLowered yolk cholesterol content in the eggs of laying hens who received it as a supplement in their diet. H Sun et al., 2015

References

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