Wheatgerm
(Octacosonol)

Description

Wheatgerm oil contains octacosanol, a waxy substance found in vegetable oils and sugar cane. It is generally used to enhance exercise performance.

Functions

Wheatgerm oil is not an essential nutrient and therefore is not involved in essential functions in the body.

Suggested Intakes

For exercise performance, a dosage adjusted to 1 mg of octacosanol daily.

Supplemental Uses

Exercise performance:
Preliminary studies have found that octacosanol enhances exercise performance, including endurance and reaction time (1). Octacosanol may also improve grip strength (2).

Safety

Wheatgerm oil appears to be quite safe. Studies investigating prolonged and excessive (up to 20 mg octacosanol daily) use did not report any adverse effects (3). Some people may have difficulty digesting wheatgerm or lipid products.

Interactions and Contra-Indications

There are no known drug interactions or contra-indications for wheatgerm oil.

References

1. Cureton TK. The physiological effects of wheat germ oil on humans. In Exercise. Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1972:296-300.
2. Saint-John M, McNaughton L. Octacosanol ingestion and its effects on metabolic responses to submaximal cycle ergometry, reaction time and chest and grip strength. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1986;6(2):81-87.
3. Pons P, Rodriguez M, Robaina C, et al. Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharm Res 1994;14:27-33.