Gamma Oryzanol Usage

The mechanism of action is unknown, but gamma oryzanol is sometimes thought to be useful for treating generalized anxiety disorder.

Read more about Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Gamma Oryzanol.

Though the specific mechanism of action is yet unknown, gamma oryzanol is sometimes thought to be useful for treating panic disorder (as well as generalized anxiety disorder).

Read more about Panic Disorder and Gamma Oryzanol.

Like many other vegetable oils, rice bran oil appears to improve cholesterol profile . ¹ 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 Gamma oryzanol is thought to work by impairing cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract. ³ 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. ⁴ Gamma oryzanol is used by some athletes based on early reports that suggested gamma oryzanol enhances muscle growth and sports performance . ⁵ 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. ⁶ Evidence from animal studies suggests that gamma oryzanol may help prevent ulcers , but meaningful human trials are lacking. ⁷ 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, mightconceivably 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. ⁹ (For information on why this is so, see Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Studies? )