Adverse Effects of Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is a liquid derived from the outer layer of a grain of rice. Despite its use in herbal medicine to lower cholesterol levels, to prevent kidney disease and stomach calcium and to treat allergic dermatitis rashes, rice bran oil poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Common side effects of rice bran oil include gas, flatulence, stomach discomfort and changes in regularity.

Typically, the side effects of rice bran oil are most common only during the first few weeks of usage as a result of your body adjusting to the bran component of the supplement, according to RxList.com.

Some patients have experienced skin side effects when adding rice bran oil to the bath as a treatment for dermatitis and other skin rashes due to the presence of the straw itch mite in the supplement. This pest is not found in all rice bran oil products, but it does have the potential to cause skin irritation, itching and redness.

Rice bran oil lowers the amount of blood calcium in the body, making it useful for the prevention of kidney stones; however, this function of rice bran oil also makes the supplement dangerous for people with osteoporosis or a condition called hypocalcemia, a type of calcium deficiency. In addition, patients with anemia, intestinal ulcers or conditions that cause difficulty swallowing or digestion also may find their conditions exacerbated by rice bran oil.

If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor before using a rice bran oil supplement.