Helps lower cholesterol but may harm liver and kidneys. Taking the wrong red yeast rice double-sided blade may harm the body

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Text ◆ Zhang Shumei “Ming Pao”

Serious and fatal food safety incidents have recently occurred in Japan and Taiwan. Among them, the kidney-injury scandal involving red yeast supplements owned by Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has become more and more serious. There have been a number of suspected related deaths and more than 100 people have been hospitalized.

It was reported that some batches were found to contain the highly toxic substance “pilenicillic acid”, but it has not yet been confirmed whether it is the culprit of the incident and why it was mixed into the health products.

(Hong Kong News) Red yeast rice is considered to help lower cholesterol. Many patients with high cholesterol have heard of and even take such products. Experts emphasize that if you don’t know the efficacy, side effects and medication contraindications of red yeast rice, your body will be replenished and damaged every minute.

Side effects similar to statins

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has received consumer reports one after another that kidney problems occurred after taking three of its red yeast supplements. As of March 30, five people had died. Among them, one of the deceased had been taking the supplement “Red Yeast Koji” for three consecutive years before his death.ヘルプ” (paraphrase: red yeast cholesterol helps). Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced the recall of a number of involved products; in addition, other food manufacturers that use Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice raw materials have also taken the initiative to recall their products.

In Hong Kong, the Center for Food Safety discovered at a retail store in Causeway Bay that a black vinegar product “Hongji Black Wine” suspected of using problematic red yeast rice was on sale. The product has been removed from the shelves and a recall has been launched.

The protagonist of this food safety crisis, red yeast rice, also known as red yeast rice, is fermented by adding Monascus to rice. Registered pharmacist Chen Zhipeng pointed out that fermented red yeast rice produces an active substance called Monacolin K, which is similar to the active ingredient of cholesterol-lowering drugs statins and can help reduce bad cholesterol.

In addition, registered dietitian Lu Zhaolin added that there have been small studies indicating that red yeast rice can be anti-inflammatory and bring benefits to heart health and metabolic system.

“Red yeast rice is actually a double-edged sword. It has the benefits of statins, but it can also bring about the side effects of statins.” Chen Zhipeng continued, adding that side effects include indigestion, muscle pain or inflammation. In severe cases, it can cause rhabdomyolysis, destroying muscle tissue, causing A large amount of myoglobin is released into the blood, which increases the load on the kidneys and leads to renal failure; it can also cause an increase in liver enzymes and affect liver function.

“The pharmacology and side effects of the active ingredients of red yeast rice are similar to those of statins. In fact, red yeast products should not be placed on the shelves for consumers to purchase by themselves.”

Penicillium metabolites harm human body

According to Japanese media reports, most people affected by the Kobayashi incident suffered from decreased kidney function. Although red yeast rice can damage the kidneys, both Chen Zhipeng and Lu Zhao pointed out that in fact, kidney disease is not common. Why are a large number of users suffering from impaired kidney function this time?

The person in charge of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said that puberulic acid was detected in some batches. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, puberulic acid is a metabolite of penicillium and is extremely toxic.

Chen Zhipeng pointed out that there are not many studies pointing out its impact on the human body. However, many metabolites of molds are harmful to the human body, such as causing liver or kidney failure. Therefore, it is inferred that penicillin acid may pose a certain risk to human health. It is believed that the conditions during the fermentation process may be poorly controlled, resulting in the emergence of compounds other than active ingredients. ; At present, its exact relationship with kidney disease is still unclear.

Taking antibiotics together may increase side effects

In addition to the food safety factors of health products, he pointed out that if users have risk factors for acute renal failure, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, advanced age, etc., long-term or high-dose consumption of contaminated red yeast products may further increase the load on the kidneys. “When the kidneys lose their function of filtering blood impurities and are unable to excrete toxins from the body, and toxins accumulate in the blood, acute renal failure may occur.”

“In addition, taking drugs that affect the decomposition function of the liver at the same time, including immunosuppressants (such as cyclosporine), antifungal drugs (such as ketoconazole), antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), etc., because the drugs inhibit the metabolic function of the liver and increase the activity of red yeast rice in the blood Ingredient concentrations, side effects or more.”

Health products cannot replace a healthy life

Many chronic patients, despite being prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs by doctors, take health care products on their own because they want to reduce the dosage. Chen Zhipeng pointed out that this is a misconception.

“Some people are worried about the side effects of drugs and seek methods other than drugs;

Health products may seem natural, but they cannot replace medical treatments.

Prescription drugs have been rigorously researched and have uniform standards.

Can clearly understand the effects of different dosages, risks of taking it at different ages, etc.;

However, some health products are not controlled and do not need to be registered in Hong Kong.

The active ingredients in each product can vary greatly.

An American organization compared the active ingredient monacolin K in 12 red yeast products.

Contents range from 0.10 to 10.09 mg per capsule. “

In addition, it is unknown whether other substances are mixed in during the production process and cause chemical reactions. He repeatedly reminded people who are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs that they should not take red yeast supplements instead.

Chen Zhipeng has also recently received inquiries from the public about the safety risks of red yeast supplements. He said that if you take other brands of red yeast supplements, you may not need to stop taking them immediately, but it is recommended to evaluate whether you need to take them. Many people have misconceptions about health supplements, thinking that they do not need to exercise and pay attention to diet after taking health supplements. In fact, this is putting the cart before the horse. Health supplements cannot replace a healthy lifestyle. “

Lu Zhaolin added, “Unless it is necessary to take it after being evaluated by a doctor or nutritionist, many health products are not necessary for everyone’s health.”

Commonly used as food coloring and brewing raw material

In addition to being used in health products, red yeast rice is also commonly used as food coloring, flavor enhancer, brewing raw material, etc. to be added to food or drinks. Monascus mold can be found in fermented bean curd, rice wine, sake, etc. Lu Zhaolin pointed out that the Center for Food Safety prohibits the use of red yeast rice as food coloring. “The concentration of red yeast rice used as food raw materials is much lower than that of health products. Eating food made from red yeast rice will have little impact on the body.”

Has blood-activating effect Pregnant women should avoid eating red yeast rice

Red yeast rice is commonly used in health products targeting cholesterol. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is widely used and has a long history.

Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Mo Rongshi pointed out that “Compendium of Materia Medica” records that red yeast rice has a sweet and warm nature, and can strengthen the spleen, eliminate food stagnation, activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis. It is often prescribed clinically for those who are hungry or full, eat too much raw or cold food, or For patients who fry food, it can relieve gastric bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, etc.; it can also be used to treat diseases with blood stasis and qi stagnation, such as blood stasis type abdominal pain, women with postpartum lochia (postpartum secretions), etc.

However, people with yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity, no stagnation, and no blood stasis should not take it. Red yeast rice has the effect of activating blood circulation, so pregnant women should avoid eating it, and breastfeeding women should also avoid it.

Do not eat while taking statins and antibiotics

Nutritionist Lu Zhaolin added that people with poor liver and kidney function should not take red yeast supplements. In addition, red yeast rice interacts with some foods and drugs, so you should avoid eating them together, such as grapefruit, which can cause the active ingredients of red yeast rice to stay in the body for a longer time, which may increase side effects. If you are taking statins or antibiotics, People suffering from fungi, antibiotics, etc. should also avoid using red yeast supplements.”

He suggested that before purchasing health products, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist to see if they are suitable for your personal health condition. Pharmacist Chen Zhipeng reminds that if symptoms of liver damage such as muscle pain, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, or tea-colored urine occur after taking it; or if the urine is foamy or the amount of urine suddenly decreases, it may be a symptom of weakened kidney function and should be treated. Stop taking red yeast supplements and seek medical advice.

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