Choice of fat is a matter for health

Rice bran oil is an oil extracted from inside of a rice granule. It is commonly used as a cooking supplement, particularly for stir frying in Asian cuisine. Rice bran along with the germ is an inherent part of whole grain which consists of phytonutrients like oryzanols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols and importantly dietary fibres. The most commonly used form is its oil that has exceptional properties which make it unparalleled when compared with other vegetable oils. This article gives a bird's eye view of rice bran and its distinct properties.
What is it that makes rice bran oil so popular? Well, it's the amazing health benefits that it carries that make it stand out from other 'healthy' foods. Here I've put down a comprehensive list of the health benefits rice bran oil offers.
The cholesterol-busting properties of rice bran oil are well-known, and research study also revealed that rice bran oil was effective in decreasing total cholesterol for up to 42% and LDL cholesterol for up to 62%. Rice bran oil has more than 2% omega 3 fatty acids in it (more than olive oil) and a good amount of omega 6 too. On the other hand rice bran oil contains oryzanol, which helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, blood clotting and thereby prevents many heart diseases like congestive heart failure, heart attack, stroke etc.
National Institute of Nutrition (India), WHO and the American Heart Association (AHA) have stated that rice bran oil has the best possible composition of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats compared to all other vegetable oils. Who knew that changing the cooking oil you use could protect your heart so well!
Rice brain oil is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienol), as well as compounds such as oryzanol. Therefore, keeping a steady flow of antioxidants coming into the body is essential for reducing your chances of developing various types of cancer.
Rice bran oil beats olive oil in its vitamin E power, as it contains both the tocopherol and tocotrienol forms of the vitamin, whereas olive oil contains only the tocopherol form -- and less of that than rice bran oil. Additionally, rice bran oil contains significant amounts of the antioxidant oryzanol, whereas olive oil has none.
Y-oryzanol, a compound present in rice bran oil, is believed to be effective in curbing hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. One small-scale study found that 90% of women taking rice bran oil daily found relief in menopausal symptoms.
Squalene, a compound present in rice bran oil, works wonders in improving skin health. It acts like a natural moisturizer, prevents the formation of wrinkles and delays skin ageing.
Rice bran oil is rich in anti-oxidant,   gamma-oryzanol, a group of ferulate esters of triterpene alcohols and phytosterols. These include its ability to reduce plasma cholesterol, reduce cholesterol absorption and decrease early atherosclerosis, inhibit platelet aggregation, and increase fecal bile acid excretion. Oryzanol has also been used to treat nerve imbalance and disorders of menopause.
Besides, the nutritional components in rice bran oil help to prevent sugar from collecting in the body as stored fat. As a result, your body burns it off as energy, which can help you lose weight.
Comparing known vegetable oils and rice bran oil to the fatty acid profile recommended by the American Heart Association, they find RBO is the closest to the AHA recommendations.
In addition to this, RBO does not produce any allergenic reactions when ingested, as does several oils. RBO may have the highest cholesterol reduction capacity of any other oil.
Not too long ago, using the words "healthy" and "fat" in the same breath just wasn't done. But now, the word about good fats has spread. Health-conscious consumers are working to cut back on bad fats, and they're relying on the food industry to provide tasty options that are low in saturated fats. In turn, food-product developers are relying on healthy oils to provide the functional properties of fat in their formulations. Rice bran oil is one such product; it's versatile, free of Tran's fatty acids, and it has an added bonus: antioxidants.
Rice bran oil is an increasingly popular vegetable oil that offers many advantages over standard vegetable oils that millions of people commonly cook with all over the world. Overall study and research confirm that rice bran oil, when consumed as part of a healthy diet, is effective in improving risk factors for non-communicable diseases (CVD, Diabetes, Obesity, Cancer etc). So, rice bran oil is a versatile choice for you and your family's health.  
The writer is a nutritionist.