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Vitamin D Deficiency Article
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Gamma-Oryzanol
from:Gamma-oryzanol is usually extracted from rice bran oil for commercial purposes. Aside from rice, gamma-oryzanol also appears in other grains, such as barley and corn. Gamma-oryzanol is actually a concentrated mixture of naturally occurring plant chemicals called ferulic acid esters and sterols.
What's in a Name?
Gamma-oryzanol is known by several other names. It is called oryzanol because most of the gamma-oryzanol products available today come from rice grains. Other names for this substance include calculate, gamma-oz, gammariza, oryzanol, oz, and thiaminogen.
Associated Uses
In Japan, it is commonly added to foods and beverages. Gamma-oryzanol is also commercially used as a medical antioxidant in combination with alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E. Because it seems Japan is the only country that makes the most use of this substance, the bulk of research concerning gamma-oryzanol has been done there. The substance, however, is available in various areas of the United States in the form of supplements.
Some evidence suggests that gamma-oryzanol increases testosterone levels in humans. It is also said to stimulate the release of endorphins, the hormones in the body that provides relief for pain. Other studies have also shown that it promotes the growth of lean muscle tissue, hence, its role in bodybuilding supplementation. However, it should be noted that no scientific study has yet to prove the substance's apparent effect in boosting exercise performance.
In a clinical study conducted in 1997, male weight trainers who took the substance in supplement form of 500 mg a day for nine weeks failed to perform better than participants taking a placebo. On a side note, levels of various hormones, including endorphins and testosterone, remained unaffected in any way.
Gamma-oryzanol is used to decrease cholesterol and fats in the blood and bloodstream. It is used to treat children with skin rashes. Apparently, the substance has a soothing effect on rash and the acid acts on the bacteria, which if left unchecked might cause infection to occur. Gamma-oryzanol has also been used to treat an underactive or slow thyroid gland. It has a stimulating effect on the thyroid, encouraging it to produce more thyroid hormone.
Women can also take advantage of the benefits of this substance. Those who are going through the menopausal stage may use it to treat hot flashes. In addition, the antioxidant properties of this substance may help protect the heart vessels from free-radical damage.
Deficiency and Recommended Dosage
Despite its many benefits, gamma-oryzanol is not considered an essential nutrient. With this in mind, it is not associated with any deficiency state. However, based on most human research with the substance, the dosage is usually 300 mg per day. Healthy people do not appear to need this supplement though.
Side Effects and Interactions
Gamma-oryzanol is not known to interact or react when taken with other known drugs or nutrients. Apparently, it is quite safe to take this substance since it is free of significant side effects. A word of caution though, people with underactive thyroid should be aware that gamma-oryzanol can lower levels of thyroid stimulation hormone or TSH. It could also alter test results used to monitor this condition.
Gamma-oryzanol exhibits mostly hormonal level effects. To avoid in complications with the substance, pregnant or breast-feeding women whose levels of hormones are critical should keep from taking the substance in highly concentrated form.
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