Supplementation with Gamma-Oryzanol (150 mg, twice per day) has been shown to reduce the secretion of
leutinizing hormone (LH) by the pituitary and promote endorphin release by the hypothalamus.3 Hot flashes and
other menopausal symptoms (profuse sweating, mood changes) result indirectly from the over-secretion of
leutinizing hormone, which is at empting to initiate the start of another ovulatory cycle. The lack of response by the
immature egg cells in the ovaries in menopause results in an over-secretion of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
and LH by the pituitary, contributing to the onset of hot flashes and related symptoms.4
Clinical trials involving menopausal women and women who had their ovaries surgically removed, have revealed
that 67-85 percent of women treated with Gamma-Oryzanol have experienced a significant reduction in
menopausal symptoms.5,6
2. Cholesterol and Triglyceride Lowering (Hypo-Lipidemic Effects)
A number of clinical traits reveal that 300 mg per day of Gamma-Oryzanol supplementation can lower cholesterol
by 8-12 percent and triglycerides by approximately 15 percent in subjects with elevated lipid levels.7,8,9
Gamma-Oryzanol supplementation increases the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids, increases bile acid
excretion, and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream.10,11
These are important considerations for post menopausal women as heart disease is the most common cause of
death in women over 50 years of age in North America. The decline in circulating estrogen levels with menopause
predisposes postmenopausal women to a rise in blood cholesterol and the development of atherosclerosis. This is,
in part, due to the fact that estrogen increases the number of LDL- cholesterol receptors on body cells, enabling the
body to remove LDL-cholesterol from the bloodstream very ef ectively.12,13
Dosage
Menopausal Symptoms: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses (ie. 150 mg, twice per day)
Hypolipidemic Effects: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses (i.e. 150 mg, twice per day)
Adverse Side Effects and Toxicity
Toxicity studies on animals demonstrate that it is a very safe compound. No significant side effects have been
reported in human trials or experimental studies.14,15
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Meschino Health Comprehensive Guide to Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Drug Nutrient Interactions
There are no reported drug-nutrient interactions for gamma-olyzanol.
1. Murray M. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing; 1996. p. 332-5.
2. Fujiwara S, et al. Mass fragmentographic determination of ferulic acid in plasma after oral administration of gamma-oryzanol. Chem Parm
Bull 1982;30:973-979.
3. Yamauchi J, et al. Inhibition of LH secretion by gamma-oryzanol in rat. Horm Metabol Res 1981;13:185.
4. The Merk Manual. 16th edition. Merck & Co. 1992. p. 1767-8.
5. Murase Y, Iishima H. Clinical studies of oral administration of gamma-oryzanol on climacteric complaints and its syndrome. Obtet
Gynecol Prac 1963;12:147-9.
6. Ishihara M. Effect of gamma-oryzanol on serum lipid peroxide levels and climacteric disturbances. Asia Oceania J Obstet Gynecol
1984;10:317.
7. Yoshino G, Kazumi T, Amano M, et al. Effects of gamma-oryzanol on hyperlipidemic subjects. Curr Ther Res 1989;45:543-52.
8. Yoshino G, et al. Effects of gamma-oryzanol and probucol on hyperlipidemia. Durr Ther Res 1989;45,975-82.
9. Sasaki J, et al. Effect of gamma-oryzanol on serum lipids and apolipoproteins in dyslipidemic schizophrenics receiving major
tranquilizers. Clin Ther 1990;12:263-8.
10. Seetharamaiah GS, Chandrasekhara N. Effect of oryzanol on cholesterol absorption and biliary & fecal bile acids in rats. Ind J Med Res
1990;92:471-5.
11. Sakamoto K, et al. Effects of gamma-oryzanol and cycloartenol ferulic acid ester on cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Jap J
Pharmacol 1987;45:559-65.
12. Gura T. Estrogen: key player in heart disease among women. Science 1995;269:771-3.
13. Colditz G, Willett W, Stampfer M, Rosner B, Hennekens C. Menopause and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. New Engl J
Med 1987;316:1105-10.
14. Tamagawa M, Otaki Y, Takahashi T, Otaka T, Kimura S, Miwa T. Carcinogenicity study of gamma-oryzanol in B6C3F1 mice. Food
Chem Toxicol 1992;30:49-56.
15. Tamagawa M, Shimizu Y, Takahashi T, Otaka T, Kimura S, Kadowaki H, et al. Carcinogenicity study of gamma-oryzanol in F344 rats.
Food Chem Toxicol 1992;30:41-8.
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Meschino Health Comprehensive Guide to Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Glucosamine Sulfate
General Considerations
Glucosamine-6-phosphate is the precursor from which all proteoglycans are synthesized. Proteoglycans are found in
the synovial fluid of joints, the vitreous humor of the eye, arterial walls, as well as bone and cartilage. They are major
components of the extracellular matrix or ground substance, a gelatinous material that forms a meshwork between
cells. Proteoglycans are proteins that contain many chains of glycosaminoglycans (formerly called
mucopolysaccharides).
Glycosaminoglycans are long, unbranched polysaccharides composed of repeating disaccharide units. The repeating
disaccharides usually contain an uronic acid or a glucuronic acid, and a hexosamine, and are frequently sulfated. All
hexosamines are derived from glucosamine-6-phosphate. Hence the synthesis of glucosamine-6-phosphate is
essential to the production of ground substance throughout our lives. This extracellular matrix is more than glue that
holds cells together. It also serves as a barrier to microorganisms from reaching cells. Because they are long and
negatively charged, glycosaminoglycans chains repel each other. As well, the proteoglycans occupy a very large
space and act as “molecular sieves”, determining which substances approach and leave cells. Their properties also
give resilience to substances such as cartilage, permitting compression and reexpansion (shock absorbing function)
There are at least seven types of glycosaminoglycans, which differ from each other based upon the monosaccharides
present in their repeating disaccharide units:
1. Chondroitin sulfate
2. Dermatan sulfate
3. Heparin
4. Heparin sulfate
5. Hyaluronic acid
6. Keratan sulfate I