The red yeast rice in food supplements does not help maintain normal cholesterol levels. The Ansm denounces the allegations which could imply it.
An investigation by the monthly UFC-Que Choisir had already sounded the alarm last November, the National Drug Safety Agency (Ansm) has just sent a serious warning about red yeast rice. Present in many food supplements, this substance “contains monacolin K, also called lovastatin, having the chemical characteristics of drugs of the statin family”, explains the Ansm. Statins are used in the medical treatment of cholesterol.
However, health claims, which may appear on packaging, would suggest that food supplements comprising this type of yeast help maintain normal cholesterol levels. On this point, the Agency is clear: “these products should not be considered as an alternative to drugs used for the treatment of cholesterol”.
Adverse effects
In France, lovastatin is not included in the composition of drugs. But when it is present in large doses in food supplements, it can have the same side effects as those seen, sometimes, with statins. They were reported by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), which in September 2012 undertook to analyze the possible risks associated with their consumption. They are muscular or hepatic.
Pending the final conclusions of ANSES, the Medicines Agency therefore recommends that patients:
– not to consider food supplements based on red yeast rice as an alternative to the medical management of hypercholesterolemia. ;
– not to consume products based on red yeast rice if they are already receiving statin treatment, due to a risk of overdose;
– not to take over with a food supplement based on red yeast rice if they have had to stop statin treatment, due to their identical side effects;
– not to consume a food supplement based on red yeast rice if they are taking other drugs which may interact with statins, in particular drugs from the fibrate family.
In addition, the Ansm considers “prudent” not to consume fruit or grapefruit juice with a food supplement based on red yeast rice. “Grapefruit,” she says, “increases the level of lovastatin in the blood and thus poses a risk of overdose.”
Finally, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the consumption of these food supplements because of the contraindication of statins in this same type of situation.
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