Red fermented rice, commonly sold in capsules, can be harmful to your health.
According to HealthDay , a 64-year-old American woman was admitted to the hospital with liver problems after taking the supplement without a prescription . There were about 1,200 milligrams of red rice every day for six weeks.
The lady was hospitalized with symptoms such as tiredness , swelling, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and dark urine. The liver injury was later confirmed by exams.
However, the patient had no history of liver disease, did not smoke and practiced physical exercise frequently. She did not take any medication other than vitamin B12 injections and red rice capsules.
This led doctors to be suspicious of other factors that caused such a condition.
The sudden onset of the disease convinced doctors that red rice was the cause of liver damage.
The dangers of red rice
Red rice supplements are made by mixing cooked white rice with yeast food yeast. According to popular knowledge, these capsules can fight high cholesterol.
Scientists believe that people consume these supplements over-the-counter because they are cheaper than medicines.
However, the attitude is dangerous because, often, there is no talk about the side effects of these capsules, which are not always approved by pharmaceutical quality control.
How to care for the liver?
The liver is the largest gland in the body, weighing an average of 1.5 kg. It is made up of several cells, which perform different functions that are important for maintaining the functioning of the organism.
Some precautions can be taken to improve liver health:
- Food: garlic, orange, beet, carrot, lettuce, cabbage and apple are beneficial foods for the liver, as they help eliminate fat from the body. Meats should be reduced, but they do not need to be eliminated as long as the fat is not eaten. Drinking plenty of water during the day also facilitates the liver’s work;
- Alcohol: it is important to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages, as they harm the liver and hinder the elimination of fat;
- Stop smoking: avoiding tobacco helps the liver to stay healthy, since addiction hinders the reduction of fat present in the liver;
- Exercises: Doing some physical activity helps to burn fat from the liver and makes it work better.
Before taking capsules, research on the subject and avoid self-medication . Always consult a doctor or pharmacist.
