Rice bran oil -- health benefits and uses

Here's why rice bran oil beats every other oil with its health quotient.

The oil you use to cook your food, no matter how little you have of it, affects your health. While many of us stick to conventional cooking oils, rice bran oil is the all-new rage. Made from the outer husk of rice, this oil is packed with health benefits. Touted to be better than other cooking oils, rice bran oil is rich in vitamin E complex, tocopherols, tocotrienols, gamma-oryzanol, high amounts of phytosterols, polyphenols and squalene -- all compounds that do immense good for our body. Wondering how? Here's your answer.

Lowers cholesterol levels: Rice bran oil is perfect for your health and one reason for this is the fact that it contains a compound called gamma oryzanol[1]. This compound has cholesterol lowering properties. It has been found to lower bad cholesterol and increase the concentration of good cholesterol. It does so by inhibiting absorption of dietary cholesterol or by improving the conversion of cholesterol so that it is removed from your body through faeces [2] [4].

Protects you from heart attacks: Apart from all the health benefits gamma oryzanol has, it is also known to help prevent platelet aggregation[3] -- a system where platelets blood get stuck together and form clots that block your arteries -- therefore preventing the onset of a heart attack.

Regulates your thyroid function: If you are suffering from hypothyroidism (low levels of the thyroid hormone) then using rice bran oil may be a great idea. The oil has been found to lower elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels (TSH) in people with hypothyroidism, without altering their levels of thyroxine-iodine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3), and it is said to do so by directly influencing the working of hypothalamus (a part in your brain, responsible for stimulation of the thyroid gland) [5].

Helps you build muscle: Rice bran oil can also help build muscle mass in your body, so if you are working out and want to bulk up, this oil is for you. According to a study, rice bran oil, specifically gamma-oryzonol, helps increase levels of endorphins in your body during resistance training and aids in muscle development[7].

Relieves symptoms of menopause: Rice bran oil can also help menopausal women. It not only helps in improving their overall strength, but it also helps reduce occurrence of various menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes[6]. As per one study, it is said that this effect is due to the inhibition of the production of the luteinising hormone and preventing sudden change in levels of other hormones that help beat this symptom.

Skin health: Rice bran oil also contains a compound known as squalene that is great for your skin. Apart from that, this oil is also a very potent reservoir of compounds known as Tocotrienols, which when broken down convert to vitamin E. Vitamin E helps nourish and moisturise your skin, while preventing the formation of wrinkles and premature ageing.

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References:

[1] Yoshino G, Kazumi T, Amano M, Tateiwa M, Yamasaki T, Takashima S, Iwai M, Hatanaka H & Baba S, Curr Ther Res, 45 (1989) 975.

[2] Gerhardt A L & Gallo N B, Full fat rice bran and oat bran similarly reduced Hypercholesterolemia in humans, J Nutr, 128 (1998) 865-869.

[3] Seetharamaiah G S, Krishnakantha T P & Chandrasekhara N, Influence of oryzanol on platelet aggregation in rats, J Nutr Sci Vitaminol, 36 (1990) 291-297.

[4] Nakayama S, Manabe A, Suzuki J, Sakamoto K & Inagaki T, Comparative effects of two forms of gamma-oryzanol in different sterol compositions on hyperlipidemia induced by cholesterol diet in rats, Japan J Pharmacol, 44 (1987) 135-143.

[5] Shimomura Y, Kobayashi I, Maruto S, Ohshima K, Mori M, Kamio N & Fukuda H, Effect of gamma-oryzanol on serum TSH concentrations in primary hypothyroidism, Endocrinol Jap, 12 (1980) 83-86.

[6] Murase Y & Iishima H, Clinical studies of oral administration of gamma-oryzanol on climacteric complaints and its syndrome, Obstet Gynecol Prac, 12 (1963) 147-149.

[7] Bonner B, Warren B & Bucci L, Influence of ferulate supplementation on postexercise stress hormone levels after repeated exercise stress, J Appl Sports Sci Res, 4 (1990) 10.