In one study, the researchers found that adding rice bran to subjects' diets lowered cholesterol as effectively as did oat bran-containing diets.

The other study of 14 participants followed two different diets for 10 weeks. The researchers noted that cholesterol levels were lowest when the diet consisted more of rice bran oil and less of peanut oil, olive oil, corn oil, canola oil, palm oil and butter.

Previous research also has pointed to the heart-healthy effects of rice bran and rice bran oil, which most commonly is available in Japan and India but also may be found in health food stores throughout the U.S.

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