As a young boy the typical Sunday dinner at our house featured a meal often times consisting of white rice, gravy and the other accompanying foods such as green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, something fried and homemade biscuits.
Mom was an excellent cook and I savor those memories of Sunday meals with my family and mom taking great joy in feeding us all. We had a large table and it was always full with friends and family.
So, what does this have to do with this mystery superfood, well nothing. I just wanted to share a little nostalgia I was experiencing while writing this piece. White rice was the only rice I ever knew until my later adult years.
Later I was introduced to brown rice, black rice, long grain, short grain, jade rice etc.. And then, I learned the secrets of the most important information about rice, read on to learn more!
What are the parts of a grain kernel?
When we think of rice, brown rice or any rice we typically just think about the whole grain. However, rice and any grain for that matter has multiple components that make the grain.
As a simple explanation, A grain kernel is consist of the outer husk, the bran, the endosperm and the germ. The bran is the outer coating just under the grain husk and the germ is on the bottom edges. Approximately eighty five percent of the nutritional benefits of the rice kernel are in the bran and germ.
For the purposes of this article when I use the term bran it includes the rice germ as well.
What if I asked you what one of the most nutrient dense foods in the world is? Would you have guessed that rice bran is the food I am talking about?
It takes about 30 pounds of brown rice to make one pound of the rice bran and rice germ. Ounce for ounce few foods have as deep and rich of a vitamin, mineral, essential fatty acid, enzymatic, phytonutrient and antioxidant content as rice bran.
The polyunsaturated oils in rice bran have made it difficult to sell as a nutritional food source. The oils turn rancid quickly. However, technology developed a few decades back made it possible for us to take advantage of the powerhouse of nutrition in rice bran through an enzymatic process that stabilizes the oils so they do no go rancid as quickly. As a result rice bran is now available.
The refinement of grains
In the late 1800’s grain refining was developed in Europe and soon came to the Americas and the rest of the world. The refining processes removes the most nutrient dense part of the grain, the bran and germ. This allows grains to be stored for a long time with out spoiling.
When the development of grain refining came about rice was was polished to make it shelf stable so it could be stocked on store shelves.
My stand on the consumption of grains
Before we get to far into this blog, I want to make clear my personal position on grains.
I do not recommend them for most of my clients due to the inflammatory effects. Grains grown today are not like their cousins from hundreds of years back. They have been hybridized to the point most are inflammatory for the digestive and neurological systems. However, regarding rice since that what we are discussing, the bran and germ on the rice kernel are much different, they are a small part of the rice kernel. They do not have most of the negatives experienced from eating the whole grain.
If you do eat grains eat them in sprouted whole form and in moderation. I find that my clients inflammatory and digestive issues get much better with a diet void of grains or at a minimum a reduction in the amount consumed. Sprouted grains are the best grains for consuming. Once grains are sprouted they become more like a vegetable, have more nutrition and the inflammatory compounds are mostly neutralized.
Moms always know best!
At the refining mills, piles of the bran were put outside the grain refining plants for disposal or sold as feed for animals.
Moms in India new something powerful was in the bran and germ that was discarded! When their children were sick, the mothers in India would walk to the processing plants and get the bran to feed their sick children. They knew it had great healing ability. Moms would make a porridge from the bran and in most cases their children would heal better and faster.
Rice bran is hypoallergenic and is gentle enough for even infants yet a super powerhouse of health for adults! The bran of the rice is where approximately 85% of the nutritional power of the rice kernel is stored. The bran portion of rice is extremely nutrient dense.
An enzyme causes the oil in the bran to go rancid very quickly. Technology developed a few decades back make it possible for the bran of the rice kernel to be removed and stored for a much longer period without damaging the super nutrition contained in the bran portion of the rice kernel.
Rice brans amazing array of nutritional benefits
Stabilized rice bran is the new super food! Rice bran contains an vast array of advanced nutrients and antioxidants, which assist you in maintaining your overall health. The nutritional value of rice bran is superior to other brans and pushes your body for optimal vibrant health.
Amazingly, rice bran contains an astounding quantity of healthy nutrients such as phytosterols, polysaccharides, beta-sitosterol, beta-glucan, natural fiber, Vitamin E complex, plus a large complement of B vitamins and over 100 antioxidants!
Rice Bran:
- Has compounds that support and boost immune function
- Helps reduce and balance blood sugar levels
- Increases energy
- Lowers cholesterol
- It is heart protective
- Has anti-cancer potential
- It is anti-inflammatory
- It supports healthy digestion
- Is rich in fiber
- Supports better blood pressure
- Protects kidneys
- It is great for the skin and hair
- Supports healthy weight loss
- Builds muscle
Rice Bran is packed with hundreds of health enhancing vital nutrients!
Protein — Stabilized rice bran contains easily digested, hypoallergenic essential amino acids that are necessary for building human protein.
Complex Carbohydrates — unlike simple carbohydrates which can add to blood sugar and fat storage problems, healthy complex carbohydrates like those found in stabilized rice bran have a “low glycemic index” which means that they don’t cause spikes in your blood sugar. In fact, stabilized rice bran has been found to help normalize blood sugar.
Fiber — Stabilized rice bran contains soluble and insoluble fibers necessary for optimum digestive health, blood sugar regulation, lowered cholesterol, and the prevention of diabetes and heart disease.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) — Omegas 3, 6 & 9 help to strengthen cellular membranes (so the bad stays out and the good stays inside cells). They also help with energy production (eliminating fatigue); transporting oxygen to the cells; removing waste from the cells; regulating hormones; reducing inflammation, pain and stiffness; reducing LDL “bad” cholesterol & increasing HDL “good” cholesterol, not to mention, improving your complexion, mood, memory & concentration!
Enzymes — Enzymes are the catalyst that make everything happen in our bodies. The enzymes in rice bran also act as powerful cell protectors. They are also some of the most powerful antioxidants we could ever ingest.
Tocotrienol’s & Tocopherols (Complete Vitamin E family known as tocols) — Tocols as a complete group are much more powerful than regular vitamin E. They are great for your cardiovascular system, your immune system, and your complexion!
Phytosterols and Sterolins (phytosterols glucosides) — These are natural phytonutrients with healthful properties that range from helping to fight free radicals, prevent cancer, reduce blood sugar and blood triglyceride levels, lower cholesterol and ease menopausal symptoms.
Gamma Oryzanol Complex — this amazing group help boost immune response, reduce inflammation, increase energy, metabolize glucose, regulate blood sugar, build muscle and more!
Polyphenols — including Ferulic acid, α-Lipoic acid, Methyl ferulate, ρ-Coumaric acid, ρ-Sinapic acid, Isovitexin, Proanthocyanidins. These have been shown to assist the immune system and to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Metal Chelators — including Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium and Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6). Getting heavy metals out helps to ensure that antioxidants don’t “turn to the dark side” and become pro-oxidized free radicals.
Carotenoids — Rice bran contains very effective free radical scavengers including Lutein, α-Carotene, β-Carotene, Lycopene, Zeaxanthine, and Crytocyanthine.
B-Vitamins & Vitamin-like substances — including Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine, Betaine, Dimethyl glycine, Inositol, Biotin, Choline and Folic acid. These help reduce cholesterol buildup, support adrenal function, calm and maintain the nervous system, and assist in key metabolic processes.
Polysaccharides — These are known to help immune function, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and increase coronary artery flexibility and capacity.
Phospholipids — Phospholipids are essential fats that help support the growth and renewal of cellular membranes, forming a barrier to filter toxins out. They also act as cellular antioxidants when free radical’s try to penetrate the cell. Phospholipids are also thought to prevent depletion of the neurotransmitter choline, improving mental focus, brain function, and both mental and physical stamina.
Rice bran as a functional food
Because of rice brans large amount of vitamins, minerals, additional phytonutrients and health benefits I selected rice bran and germ as the base ingredient in Vive! Additionally, it’s hypoallergenic, gluten free and taste good! Give Vive Shake a try to day for an amazing opportunity to revolutionize your health!
Healthy wishes
Wally Bishop I.N.H.C., C.N.C., C.I.C.P.
Vive Developer
Sources
Ameliorative Effects of Stabilized Rice Bran on Type 2 Diabetes Patients.School of Nutrition and Health Science, Taipei Medical University,Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Rice Bran: A Novel Functional Ingredient Mian Kamran Sharif,Masood Sadiq Butt,Faqir Muhammad Anjum &Saima Hafiz Khan
Study: Rice-bran products: phytonutrients with potential applications in preventive and clinical medicine.Jariwalla RJ.California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, USA.
Effects of stabilized rice bran, its soluble and fiber fractions on blood glucose levels and serum lipid parameters in humans with diabetes mellitus Types I and II.
Health Benefits of Rice Bran – A Review
Nagendra Prasad MN*, Sanjay KR, Shravya Khatokar M, Vismaya MN and Nanjunda Swamy S
Department of Biotechnology, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore-570006, INDIA
Advanced Medical Research, 8251 Raymond Road, 53719, Madison, WI, USA
The US Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated statements contained herein. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
