[ad_1]
A red yeast rice supplement can cause severe liver damage, doctors warn. Levels of monacolin K, the active ingredient present in statin-based drugs, are usually not measured or regulated in over-the-counter supplements. ( National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health )
A red yeast rice supplement can cause liver damage, doctors warn. Organic supplements are generally unregulated and may pose health risks to patients.
A 64-year-old woman presented to the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, with symptoms of liver injury. She was reluctant to take statins, so she opted for an over-the-counter red yeast rice supplement.
Memory
Senior researcher Lize Loubser warned that natural supplements used as a substitute for prescription drugs may have unknown side effects. The dose of the active component can vary widely and is generally unmeasured or unregulated.
The case report published in the BMJ case reports noted that the woman was taking a red rice yeast supplement for six weeks to reduce her cholesterol levels.
For more than two weeks, she suffered from fatigue and bloating. She also had darker urine and lighter stools. His skin has become yellowish in color, which is an active sign of liver problems.
She had no history of liver disease and was not taking any other medication besides vitamin B12 injections for the treatment of anemia. His liver tests revealed a drug-induced lesion. The doctors concluded that it was the red yeast rice supplement that had damaged the patient's liver.
Monacolin K, an active ingredient of red yeast rice, is also a major compound that is found in statin-based drugs.
"Consumers have no way of knowing how much monacolin K is present in most red yeast rice products.The labels of these products usually indicate only the amount of red rice yeast that they contain, not the amount of monacolin K, "said the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health said on its website.
The woman reportedly took 1,200 milligrams of red yeast rice tablets a day for six weeks.
Dangers of organic supplements
Dr. Russell Luepker, spokesman for the American Heart Association and a professor of public health at the University of Minnesota, said that treating diseases with supplements was not necessarily safe.
"When you go to therapy, you expose yourself to side effects," said Luepker. "Some people believe in so-called natural products, as opposed to those made by pharmaceutical companies."
According to the researchers, there have been several cases of serious liver injury caused by red yeast rice in the past. The woman was treated with steroids and was advised not to take the supplement again.
Ⓒ 2018 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[ad_2]
Source link
