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Gamma Oryzanol

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Principal Proposed UsesOther Proposed Uses


Gamma oryzanol is a mixture of substances derived from rice bran oil, including sterols and ferulic acid. It has been approved in Japan for several conditions, including menopausal symptoms, mild anxiety, stomach upset, and high cholesterol. In the US, it is widely used as a sports supplement, as well as for reducing cholesterol. However, there is no meaningful evidence supporting the use of gamma oryzanol for any of these purposes.

Sources

There is no daily requirement for gamma oryzanol.
Rice bran oil is the principal source of gamma oryzanol, but it is also found in the bran of wheat and other grains, as well as various fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, to get enough gamma oryzanol to reach typical therapeutic dosages, you will need to take supplements.

Therapeutic Dosages

A typical dosage of gamma oryzanol is 500 mg daily.

Therapeutic Uses

Like many other vegetable oils, rice bran oil appears to improve cholesterol profile . 8 Preliminary evidence, including small double-blind, placebo-controlled trials , suggests that the gamma oryzanol portion of rice bran oil may contribute an additional cholesterol-lowering benefit beyond the effects of the fatty acids. 2,3,8,10 Gamma oryzanol is thought to work by impairing cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract. 11
Additionally, gamma oryzanol has antioxidant properties. It has been hypothesized that antioxidants can help protect against heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses; however, it must be kept in mind that gigantic studies looking for such benefits with the antioxidants vitamin E and beta-carotene have returned negative results. 8
Gamma oryzanol is used by some athletes based on early reports that suggested gamma oryzanol enhances muscle growth and sports performance . 5,6,9 According to numerous websites, gamma oryzanol produces these benefits by increasing levels of testosterone, growth hormone, and other anabolic (muscle-building) hormones. However, there is no real evidence that gamma oryzanol either affects these hormones or enhances performance, and some evidence that it does not. For example, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that 9 weeks' consumption of gamma oryzanol at a dose of 500 mg daily affected neither anabolic hormone levels nor performance. 7
Evidence from animal studies suggests that gamma oryzanol may help prevent ulcers , but meaningful human trials are lacking. 8
Gamma oryzanol has also been advocated as a treatment for menopausal symptoms , but the basis of this potential use consists of evidence far too weak to be relied upon at all. In one study, gamma oryzanol injected into rats altered levels of circulation luteinizing hormone (LH). 8 This, in turn, might conceivably help menopausal symptoms, but it is a long way from theoretical benefits in rats to proof of effectiveness in humans. One open study , sometimes touted as direct evidence for benefit in menopause, lacked a control group and therefore means nothing. 1 (For information on why this is so, see Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Studies? )

Safety Issues

In the late 1970s, a batch of rice bran oil was contaminated by PCBs (polychlorobiphenyls), resulting in the poisoning of more than 2,000 people. This led to studies on the safety of gamma oryzanol products. On balance, the results of these investigations suggest that gamma oryzanol, when taken at normal doses, is nontoxic and noncarcinogenic. 8 However, the maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.

References

1 Murase Y, Iishima H. Clinical studies of oral administration of gamma-oryzanol on climacteric complaints and its syndrome. Obstet Gynecol Prac. 1963;12:147-149.

2 Rong N, Ausman LM, Nicolosi RJ. Oryzanol decreases cholesterol absorption and aortic fatty streaks in hamsters. Lipids . 1997;32:303-309.

3 Sasaki J, Takada Y, Handa K, et al. Effects of gamma-oryzanol on serum lipids and apolipoproteins in dyslipidemic schizophrenics receiving major tranquilizers. Clin Ther . 1990;12:263-268.

4 Lichtenstein AH, Ausman LM, Carrasco W, et al. Rice bran oil consumption and plasma lipid levels in moderately hypercholesterolemic humans. Arterioscler Thromb. 1994;14:549-556.

5 Bonner B, Warren B, Bucci L. Influence of ferulate supplementation on postexercise stress hormone levels after repeated exercise stress. J Appl Sports Sci Res. 1990;4:110.

6 Bucci LR, Blackman G, Defoyd W, et al. Effect of ferulate on strength and body composition of weightlifters. J Appl Sports Sci Res. 1990;4:110.

7 Fry AC, Bonner E, Lewis DL, et al. The effects of gamma-oryzanol supplementation during resistance exercise training. Int J Sport Nutr. 1997;7:318-329.

8 Cicero AF, Gaddi A. Rice bran oil and gamma-oryzanol in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemias and other conditions. Phytother Res . 2001;15:277-289.

9 Rosenbloom C, Millard-Stafford M, Lathrop J. Contemporary ergogenic aids used by strength/power athletes. J Am Diet Assoc. 1992;92:1264-1265.

10 Most MM, Tulley R, Morales S, et al. Rice bran oil, not fiber, lowers cholesterol in humans. Am J Clin Nutr . 2005;81:64-68.

11 Berger A, Rein D, Schafer A, et al. Similar cholesterol-lowering properties of rice bran oil, with varied gamma-oryzanol, in mildly hypercholesterolemic men. Eur J Nutr . 2004 May 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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