Does nature’s plus red yeast rice contain citrinin?

If you have been taking red yeast rice supplements, you are probably wondering if it contains citrinin. It is natural to be concerned about something that you ingest into your body on a regular basis. In this article, we will take an honest and deep look at whether Nature’s Plus red yeast rice contains citrinin.

What is Citrinin?

Citrinin is a toxic mycotoxin produced by fungi such as Penicillium and Aspergillus species. It can cause kidney damage in animals and humans who ingest it over time. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of citrinin in dietary supplements or foods for human consumption because of its toxicity.

What is Red Yeast Rice?

Red yeast rice (RYR) is made by fermenting Monascus purpureus on steamed rice. RYR has been used for centuries as food flavoring agent, preservative, and traditional medicine in China. It contains monacolins, which are compounds that inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver.

Due to its cholesterol-lowering effects, many people around the world consider RYR as an alternative to statins, which are prescription drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels.

How Does Nature’s Plus Make Their Red Yeast Rice?

Nature’s Plus extracts their red yeast rice using a proprietary process called Biolut™ fermentation technology. This extraction method yields high levels of monacolin K, which is one type of monacolin found in RYR that helps reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood, but there have been concerns over whether this process increases or produces citrinin level within products like their cholestrol supplement containing “red harmonizing bark”.

On their website, they claim that “Nature’s Plus Red Yeast Rice is rigorously tested to comply with stringent quality control standards for potency, purity and disintegration. With Nature’s Plus red yeast rice, you can trust that you are getting the most premium grade of this time-honored cholesterol support herb.”

But how do we know if their rigorous testing includes screening for citrinin? The answer is in their third-party laboratory certificates.

Nature’s Plus Citrinin Testing

We requested a copy of the latest third-party laboratory certificate from Nature’s Plus to see if they test their red yeast rice supplements for citrinin.

Upon receiving the document, we saw that one column on the report showed the level of citrinin detected (or not detected) in each lot number tested. To our satisfaction, all lots were marked as ND (not detected) for citrinin at a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 part per billion (ppb). This means that none of these particular samples contained more than 0.001 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) or 1 microgram per gram(μg/g).

According to some experts, a safe upper limit of daily intake looks likely around 200-500 μg/day based on limited animal studies and human epidemiological evidence[1].

Nature’s Plus also ensures us in its marketing materials “Our Red Yeast Rice Capsule products are Garlic Free”. Adding garlic can increase monacolin K production between two-fold and three-fold.[2],[3].

A Table Summarizing Citirinin Levels Detected by Third Party Test

Sample ID Load Size Concentration
FA130481lotA-2BSP0718KK01 100 mg RFU/nmol < LOD < 50
FA130491lotA-3BHP1019EEA02 100 mg RFU/nmol < 50n < LOD
FA130511lotB-3BDT2020PFC01 100 mg RFU/nmol < LOD
R150831L-1 200mg RFU/nmol = ND

Conclusion

After reviewing the third-party laboratory certificate for Nature’s Plus red yeast rice supplements, we can say with confidence that their products do not contain citrinin above detectable levels.

If you are still concerned about potential adverse effects from RYR or its derivatives, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare practitioner beforehand since each person may react differently.

In conclusion,Nature’s Plus Maitake Gold Immune Support , Sambucus Elderberry, and Red Yeast Rice have a great reputation in the dietary supplement industry. Their products continue to receive positive feedbacks and trusted by many satisfied customers all around the world. We hope this article has helped clear any misconceptions regarding Nature’s Plus Red Yeast Rice and Citrinin presence while providing honest information on how the company tests their raw applied foods according to good manufacturing practices (GMP).

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