The Health Benefits of Rice Bran Solubles and Plant Sterols

by Nathan Zassman August 09, 2011

With the highest nutrient density of all superfoods, rice bran solubles are the most nutritious, health promoting, immune system boosting natural food available. In addition to containing a wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, Non-GMO rice bran solubles have nature's highest levels of plant sterols.

Also called phytosterols (phyto = plant), plant sterols are the most researched classification of plant nutrients, with over 4000 published studies, including over 100 double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials. Rice bran solubles are also one of nature’s richest sources of tocotrienols, which are specific isomers of Vitamin E with strong antioxidant properties.

Rice bran solubles are the most nutrient dense part of the rice grain, containing protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, tocotrienols and plant sterols. The bran in the rice grain provides the nutrients necessary to enable rice to sprout. Rice bran solubles provide the most concentrated and easily absorbable nutrients from rice without the carbohydrates (the white part of the rice grain) or fiber. With over 100 antioxidants and cofactors, rice bran solubles are a nutritional powerhouse that taste great. The tocotrienols in rice bran solubles are one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, helping to combat free radicals which may contribute to premature aging and the degenerative diseases of old age.

Rice Bran Solubles are a Rich Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, B7 (Biotin), B9 (Folate) and B15 (Pangamic Acid), Choline, Inositol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Complex (tocopherols and tocotrienols), Vitamin K1, Gamma Oryzanol (naturally occurring antioxidant found in rice bran), Carotenoids (Alpha, Beta, etc.), Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6), Alpha Lipoic Acid, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Chromium, Selenium, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Hypoallergenic Protein, including the amino acids tryptophan (precursor for the production of serotonin and melatonin), histidine, methionine, cysteine, cystine and arginine.

A 25 gram serving of rice bran solubles provides 42.5 mg of magnesium, 20 mg of Vitamin B3, 212 mg of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, and high levels of all the isomers of Vitamin E, including 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols.

A study reported in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that rice bran was able to lower blood glucose by up to 30% in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Researchers reported that one out of four diabetics in the 57-subject study reduced their daily injection of insulin or medication dosages after adding stabilized rice bran to their diets for two months.

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that rice bran significantly retarded the development of intestinal adenomas in vitro, resulting in a 51% reduction in the number of precancerous adenomas in the intestinal tract. The researchers believe that future study is warranted to confirm the potential colorectal cancer preventing properties of rice bran.

Ongoing research indicates that rice bran soluble may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of arthritis, joint pain/joint health, peripheral neuropathy and cardiovascular disease.

I recommend a minimum of 3 tablespoons (25 grams) of Aviva Rice Bran Solubles daily, but you can't have too much of this inexpensive, health promoting, energizing superfood. The powder has a nutty, sweet taste that most people enjoy, making it easy to integrate into salad dressings, cold or hot cereals, smoothies, juices, or shakes. It can even be mixed with brown rice or other dishes or added to soups.

Foods with the Highest Levels of Plant Sterols

Seeds/Grains/Foods	Beta Sitosterol mg/100 grams	Campesterol	Stigmasterol
Barley	98	33	101
Walnut	87	6
Scallop	681
Almond	122	5	3
Cashew	130	13	Tr (trace)
Sesame Seed	443	91	78
Sunflower Seed	349	61	75
Aviva Rice Bran Solubles	735	257	289

Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and Rice Bran Solubles are nature’s richest vegetarian sources of plant sterols. Adding Rice Bran Solubles, sesame seeds (black are best), sunflower seeds, scallops, raw walnuts, almonds and cashews to your diet provides the highest levels of this incredibly nutritious and health promoting plant nutrient.

Health Benefits of Plant Sterols

As nutritional support, plant sterols may be effective in the treatment of cervical cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (with a patent on this use), prostate enlargement, herpes, hepatitis C, allergies, chronic fatigue, tuberculosis, breast cancer, hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol), elevated triglycerides and alopecia (hair loss). A recent study found that plant sterols were associated with a 20% reduction in LDL (the bad) cholesterol levels.

Plant sterols have been shown to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy cancer treatments, while helping the body fight bacterial infections and boosting immune function.

Marathon runners and high intensity athletes who take plant sterol supplements have lower levels of the inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-6 produced by intense exercise, which can suppress the immune system. Plant sterols can also help reduce cortisol (the stress hormone linked to a wide variety of health problems), while increasing levels of DHEA. Higher levels of DHEA (which naturally lower cortisol levels) are associated with lower rates of heart disease and stress.

Nutrients Found in Rice Bran Solubles

Gamma Oryzanol - Gamma Oryzanol is not a single component. It is a mixture of 20 components having different antioxidant properties. Cycloartenol trans-ferulate, Cycloartenol cis-ferulate, Cycloartanol trans-ferulate, Cycloartanol cis-ferulate, Cycloeucalenol trans-ferulate, Cycloeucalenol cis-ferulate, 24-Methylenecycloartanol trans-ferulate, 24-Methylenecycloartanol cis-ferulate, 24-Methylcholesterol trans-ferulate, 24-Methylcholesterol cis-ferulate, Beta-Sitosterol trans-ferulate, Beta-Sitosterol cis-ferulate, Beta-Sitostenol trans-ferulate, Beta-Sitostenol cis-ferulate, Stigmasterol trans-ferulate, Stigmasterol cis-ferulate, Stigmastenol trans-ferulate, Stigmastenol cis-ferulate, Campesterol trans-ferulate, Campesterol cis-ferulate

Carotenoids - Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Lycopene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin

Tocopherols and Tocotrienols - Tocopherols and tocotrienols belong to the same chemical group but exist in 10 different isomeric forms having different antioxidant properties. Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Tocopherol, Gamma-Tocopherol, Delta-Tocopherol, Alpha-Tocotrienol, Beta-Tocotrienol, Gamma-Tocotrienol, Delta-Tocotrienol, Desmethyl-tocotrienol, Didesmethyl tocotrienol

Polyphenols - Ferulic acid, Alpha-Lipoic acid, Methyl ferulate, Rho-Coumaric acid, Rho-Sinapic acid, Isovitexin, Proanthocyanidins

Phytosterols - Beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol, Stigmasterol, Sitostenol, -Delta-5-Avenasterol, Delta-7-Stigmastanol, Sterol glucoside, Acylsterol glucoside, Oligoglycosylsterol, Monoglycosylsterol, Cellotetraosylsitosterol, Methylsterol, Dimethylsterol, Gramisterol,Isofucosterol, Obtusifoliol, Branosterol, 28-Homotyphasterol, 28-Homosteasteronic acids, 6-Deoxycastasterone, Beta-Amyrin

Amino Acids - Tryptophan, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Cystine, Arginine

Polysaccharides - Cycloartenol-ferulic acid glycoside, Diferulic acid complex, Diferulic acid-calcium complex, Hemicelluloses, Arabinogalactan, Arabinoxylan, Xyloglucan, Proteoglycan, Glycoprotein, Arabinofuranoside

Phospholipids - Phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophophatidylcholine,
lysophosphatidylethanolamine

Enzymes - Glutathione peroxidase, methionine reductase, superoxide dismutase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, Coenzyme Q10, aspartate amino transferase, isozyme AAT-1 & AAT-2

Integrating Rice Bran Solubles Into Your Daily Health Program

(1) Add 3 or more tablespoons to a super green food drink. Rice bran solubles improve the taste of all super green food drinks, boosting nutritional levels and providing even more energy and a stronger immune system.

(2) Add three or more tablespoons twice each day to vegetable juices (carrot, wheat grass, etc.) smoothies, juice, or any veggie milk (rice, soy, almond, coconut, hemp) for increased energy, improved nutrition, and a sweeter flavour.

(3) Add to waffle or pancake batters, bread dough, breakfast cereals, etc., to improve nutrition and flavour.

(4) For instant energy, put a teaspoon in your mouth and let the powder dissolve slowly. Many of the nutrients in rice bran solubles will be absorbed sublingually (under the tongue) and through the oral buccal mucosa, enhancing the absorption of nutrients and antioxidants.