BLOG

Hello, everyone.

I am Yoko Maeda, the supervising physician at BIANCA Aesthetic Medicine.

News reports about health issues arising from consuming Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red koji-containing foods have become a hot topic. Since I've also received questions like "Is red koji dangerous?", I'll explain red koji in this article.

Its vivid red color is its defining feature! What exactly is red koji?

Red koji is made by mixing a type of mold called red koji mold with grains and fermenting the mixture. In fact, this red koji has long been widely used as an ingredient in Okinawan local foods like tofu-yō, Shaoxing wine, and vinegar. Characterized by its vivid red color, it is also sometimes used as a food coloring agent. As the health benefits of red koji gained attention, it began to be used as an ingredient in supplements.

The Effects of Red Koji

I have also prescribed red koji supplements to many patients. The effects of red koji that have garnered attention are its ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. A key characteristic is that monacolin K, one of the components found in red koji, has the same effect as statin drugs, which are commonly prescribed to suppress cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

For those with extremely high levels of LDL cholesterol and other markers, this supplement works exceptionally well.

Red koji isn't inherently dangerous! What's the issue with this red koji supplement?

Red koji is a food with over 300 years of history, originating in China and used in Japan. As for whether red koji itself is dangerous, absolutely not.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical mass-cultivates red koji using its own fermentation method and has been supplying it as an ingredient for foods and supplements. While this is purely my speculation, I believe the health issues occurring now are not due to problems with the red koji itself, but rather stem from something unusual happening during the manufacturing process.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced findings indicating that puberulic acid, generated when blue mold contaminates red koji during cultivation, caused the health issues. Puberulic acid is a compound produced by blue mold. Additionally, other compounds not typically present were also detected. This confirms that red koji itself is not the direct cause of the health problems.

How can I verify the safety of red yeast rice supplements I'm taking?

Even if red koji itself isn't dangerous, products containing the same red koji linked to health issues could pose a risk. I often get asked, "Are supplements containing red koji safe?" My first recommendation is to contact the supplement company directly.

The supplement company will provide detailed information on whether the red yeast rice they use is sourced from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's raw materials and whether the product is from a batch close to the problematic one.

If the supplement does not contain Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red koji, you may continue taking it as usual. Even if it is Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red koji, it should be fine to take it as long as the lot numbers are not close.

Supplements themselves are a convenient way to make up for nutritional deficiencies. Understanding that red yeast rice itself is not inherently dangerous, choose the supplements you need. It is also important to take them according to the recommended dosage and usage instructions.

If you have any questions about supplements, please feel free to consult with us during your counseling session. We will offer suggestions for anti-aging care from within your body, based on the perspective of a cosmetic medicine specialist.