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Health Hazards Due to Dietary Supplement Red Rice Products (Red Rice)
"Red Rice" products ("red rice") with the ingredient Monakolin K. can be harmful to health. Therefore, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) again warns against the consumption of preparations containing red rice. Reason is according to a recent communication from the BfArM the ingredient Monakolin K., which among other things could lead to liver damage. Already in 2002, the Institute had warned against using Red Rice products as a dietary supplement.
Red Mold rice has a long tradition in Asia
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) again warns against the consumption of so-called "red rice" or red rice rice. This is a
Fermentation product of rice with mold strains of the genus Monascus purpureus. It is a traditional Chinese food and remedy, which is used among other things for the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints. In addition, rice is used in Asia for dyeing, flavoring and preserving food. In Europe, use in common foods is largely unknown, but in some countries red rice is commercially available as a dietary supplement.
Red rice in focus of the medics. Image: © nast7 - fotolia Ingredient equivalent is identical to the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin
The problem: Red Rice contains among other ingredients Monacolin K, which corresponds to the drug lovastatin. This is a well-known cholesterol-lowering drug for the treatment of disorders of lipid metabolism and accordingly contained in approved and prescription finished drugs for lowering cholesterol levels. As a result, preparations containing red rice may have the same effect as medicines containing lovastatin, the BfArM warned. Studies with various Red Rice products have already shown that even doses of 5 mg or more per day could "bring about a significant pharmacological effect".
Federal Institute warned about Red Rice more than ten years ago
According to the information Monakolin K itself can lead to numerous undesirable effects such. Damage to skeletal muscle and liver. In addition, when taking red rice preparations and cholesterol-lowering medicines at the same time, side effects such as muscle damage may occur. Therefore, the BfArM had already warned in 2002 against the consumption of dietary supplements with Rotschimmelreis.
"Against this background, the BfArM welcomes the current opinion of the Joint Expert Commission," the statement continues. The Joint Expert Commission of the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) recently came to the conclusion that Red Rice preparations from a daily dose of 5 milligrams of Monakolin K are to be classified as requiring authorization and accordingly in this country may not be marketed as a dietary supplement. (No)