Gamma Oryzanol is a crystalline compound separated and extracted from Rice Embryo/Bran Oil.
Gamma Oryzanol contains two molecules- a Sterol and a Ferulic Acid molecule.
Ferulic Acid is a compound that possesses very strong anti-oxidant properties while Sterols have many biological functions - throughout nature they are the starting point for the creation and synthesis of hormones which are pivotal to cell, muscle and body function.
effect, so that the most economical method of use was found to be by beginning to feed the horses when they were in pretraining (light work) at a lower dosage rate, increasing the dosage rate as soon as each horse was in full work and racing.
The effectiveness of Gamma Oryzanol supplementation depends on several factors including the purity of extraction from rice embryo oil, the palatability of the supplement to ensure adequate intake, the presence of other compounds to enhance the absorption of Gamma Oryzanol, storage of the Gamma Oryzanol away from moisture, and the physical form of the product (Powdered Supplements ensure greater stability of Gamma Oryzanol, and the finer the powder making up the nutritional supplement the more readily the Gamma Oryzanol can be absorbed)
. However, the most critical of these factors in ensuring maximum results from Gamma Oryzanol supplementation is the presence of other key active ingredients to optimize Gamma Oryzanol absorption (Absorption Enhancers).
So, Gamma Oryzanol has a two-fold effect on high performance equine athletes, stimulating growth and an anti-oxidant effect. During high intensity exercise free radicals are released into the muscles and damage the cell membranes. Anti-oxidants such as Ferulic Acid help protect the membranes from this free radical damage.
Although some rice bran bagged feeds and rice bran oils do contain low levels of Gamma Oryzanol, these feeds and oils are produced as energy sources rather than specifically for their Gamma Oryzanol content and do not produce the results achieved through using a dedicated Gamma Oryzanol nutraceutical product containing pure, active Gamma Oryzanol plus key Absorption Enhancing Actives.
Rice Bran Oils and Feeds are added to a horse’s diet at higher rates as an additional energy source to supplement or reduce grain addition, whereas specialist nutraceutical type Gamma Oryzanol supplements are fed to horses at medicinal dosage rates (30-90g per day) to improve muscle definition, appetite, etc and to improve tone and conditioning in older horses.
Rather than being produced with Gamma Oryzanol in mind, Rice Bran Oils and Bagged Rice Bran Feeds are available as high sources of Unsaturated Fats. These Fats contain elements such as glycerol and essential Fatty Acids, which have links to skin elasticity and glossy coats.
In addition, specialist veterinary nutraceutical products containing Absorption Enhancers and Gamma Oryzanol can contain at least 20-25 times more Gamma Oryzanol per kg than rice bran oils or bagged rice bran feeds.
Rice Bran Oils and Bagged Rice Bran compared to specialist Gamma Oryzanol nutraceuticals is a bit like comparing a sherry trifle with a glass of brandy.
For horses in full work, the optimal Gamma Oryzanol level to administer is 1500mg per day, and whereas a standard 90g dose of a quality Gamma Oryzanol nutraceutical supplement contains more than this, rice bran oils and bagged rice bran feeds usually only deliver 25-35% on average of this optimal muscling dosage of Gamma Oryzanol per day at their normal feeding rates.
Studies in the U.S.A. on human athletes have demonstrated that supplementation with Gamma Oryzanol, when fed in a formula containing specific levels of other nutritional compounds, was successful for maintaining muscle girth gains from weight training programs.
Studies such as these promoted interest in a Gamma Oryzanol nutritional product for racing and competition horses. A Veterinary trial in Australia on 40 thoroughbreds (fillies and geldings) in full training, collated over 12 months, with each horse being fed a special supplement containing a mix of compounds including 1500mg (1.5g) of Gamma Oryzanol daily, found that after a period of several weeks horses fed this supplement consistently showed maintained appetite, improved muscle to fat ratio and darkened coats.
In addition to Gamma Oryzanol, this nutritional product trialed included other key active ingredients (referred to as Absorption Enhancers) critical to minimizing the horses’ excretion of Gamma Oryzanol so as to achieve optimal performance.
The supplement took around 5-8 weeks to take