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Question:
I am going through menopause and looking for help with my hot flashes other than taking estrogen. I had tried all of the various herbal products for hot flashes without much success, then I stumbled across a formula that finally worked for me. One of the ingredients is “gamma-oryzanol.” What can you tell me about this substance?
Answer:
Gamma-oryzanol (esters of ferulic acid) is a substance found in grains and isolated from rice bran oil. It has been used in Japan as a medicine since 1962. Gamma-oryzanol was first shown to be effective in menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, in the early 1960s. Subsequent studies have further documented its effectiveness. Its primary action is to reduce the secretion of leutinizing hormone (LH) by the pituitary and promote endorphin release by the hypothalamus.
In one of the earlier studies, eight menopausal women and 13 women who had their ovaries surgically removed were given 300 mg of gamma-oryzanol daily. At the end of the 38 day trial, over 67% of the women had a 50% or greater reduction in their menopausal symptoms. In a more recent study, the benefits of a 300 mg per day dose of gamma-oryzanol was even more effective as 85% of the women reported improvement in their symptoms.
Obviously, you appear to be one of the women with hot flashes who respond to gamma-oryzanol. Congratulations.
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