Gamma oryzanol is a mixture of sterols and ferulic acid esters. Despite claims that gamma oryzanol or its components increase testosterone levels, stimulate the release of endorphins, and promote the growth of lean muscle tissue, research has provided little support for these claims and has also shown gamma oryzanol to be poorly absorbed.¹ A nine-week, double-blind trial of 500 mg per day of gamma oryzanol in weight lifters found no benefit compared with placebo in strength performance gains or circulating anabolic hormones.² However, a small, double-blind trial using 30 mg per day of ferulic acid for eight weeks in trained weight lifters did find significantly more weight gain (though lean body mass was not measured) and increased strength in one of three measures compared with placebo.³