Wheatgrass Juice Research
November 11, 2011 Written by JP [Font too small?]Wheatgrass juice (Triticum aestivum) is one of the more popular “super greens” included in dietary supplements and offered in juice and smoothie bars throughout the world. What’s more, if you browse the Internet you’ll find countless sites dedicated to extolling the virtues of daily wheatgrass therapy. But, anecdotal testimonials and brisk sales aren’t exactly a solid basis for making an informed decision about any given food or supplement. Fortunately, there is also a growing body of scientific research that can assist anyone interested in seriously evaluating wheatgrass.
In today’s column, I’ve decided to only present evidence gleaned from controlled studies involving human participants. Based on this criterion, here’s what I found to be true. Wheatgrass juice may: 1) promote detoxification and protect against damage caused by common toxins, including bisphenol A, a chemical found in plastic; 2) reduce chemotherapy-related side effects and toxicity in women with breast cancer “without diminishing the efficacy of chemotherapy”; 3) or, may not, decrease blood transfusion requirements in patients with thalassemia, a rare blood disorder characterized by a lack of hemoglobin and red blood cells; 4) provide symptomatic relief in adults living with ulcerative colitis, the inflammatory bowel disease; 5) safely chelate or remove excess iron due to high levels of select organic acids (oxalic and malic acid) naturally contained in wheatgrass; 6) be useful as a topical agent in mitigating skin toxicity in cancer patients undergoing radiation. However, wheatgrass cream appears ineffective at improving function and lessening pain in the inflammatory foot condition known as plantar fasciitis.
While this isn’t a lot of information to go on with regard to wheatgrass, it’s certainly a decent starting point. There’s also some indication that at least a few scientists are genuinely interested in putting this holistic drink to the test. For instance, a study now recruiting will test the impact of 110 CC/day of frozen wheatgrass juice in patients undergoing chemotherapy. I think this is precisely the type of research that patients and physicians are ready and willing to receive.
Note: Please check out the “Comments & Updates” section of this blog – at the bottom of the page. You can find the latest research about this topic there!
To learn more about the studies referenced in today’s column, please click on the following links:
Study 1 – Inhibition by Wheat Sprout (Triticum aestivum) Juice of Bisphenol A … (link)
Study 2 – Wheat Grass Juice May Improve Hematological Toxicity Related to … (link)
Study 3 – Effect of Wheat Grass Therapy on Transfusion Requirement in … (link)
Study 4 – Wheat Grass Juice Reduces Transfusion Requirement in Patients … (link)
Study 5 – Wheat Grass Juice in the Treatment of Active Distal Ulcerative Colitis … (link)
Study 6 – The Role of Iron Chelation Activity of Wheat Grass Juice … (link)
Study 7 – The Effect of Topical Wheatgrass Cream on Chronic Plantar Fasciitis … (link)
Study 8 – Management of Skin Toxicity During Radiation Therapy … (link)
Study 9 – Impact of Wheatgrass Juice and Lifestyle Recommendations on Cancer … (link)
Natural Chlorophyll May Protect Against Diet-Induced Colon Cancer
Source: J Nutr. 2005 Aug;135(8):1995-2000. (link)
Tags: Anemia, Cancer, Iron
Posted in Detoxification, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements
June 16th, 2016 at 9:43 pm
Updated 06/16/16:
http://tih.sagepub.com/content/32/6/1026.abstract
Toxicol Ind Health. 2016 Jun;32(6):1026-32.
Hypoglycaemic role of wheatgrass and its effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in type II diabetic rats.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Insulin resistance and insulin insufficiency is the major factor for the prognosis of type II diabetes. Consistent high glucose level leads to multiple secondary complications in diabetic patients. Hence, hypoglycaemic drugs are of significance for reducing the risk of secondary complications in type II diabetes. Various hypoglycaemic drugs are already available in the market, but they are associated with several side effects. Therefore, traditional herbs have emerged as safer alternative for effective hypoglycaemic treatment. The juvenile grass of common wheat is known as wheatgrass (WG). It is commonly used as a health drink and has potent antioxidant efficacy. It has been used to cure DM in folk medicine. The current study was planned to test the hypoglycaemic effect and pathways regulated by WG on DM. We analysed the glucose and insulin levels in plasma, the activity of glucose oxidative enzymes, hexokinase and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase, in serum and glycogen levels in liver of the male albino Wistar rats. Activity of glucose oxidative enzymes and the levels of insulin and liver glycogen were decreased in rats with diabetes, but they were reversed on treatment with WG. Hence, we conclude that WG can act as a potent anti-hyperglycaemic agent.
Be well!
JP
February 14th, 2017 at 11:23 pm
Updated 02/14/17:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19390211.2016.1267063
Journal of Dietary Supplements – Published Online Jan 27, 2017
Impact of Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) Supplementation on Atherogenic Lipoproteins and Menopausal Symptoms in Hyperlipidemic South Asian Women – A Randomized Controlled Study
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) on atherogenic lipoproteins, inflammation, and menopausal symptoms. Methods: Fifty-nine hyperlipidemic women were randomized into control (n = 30) and intervention groups (n = 29). Intervention group was administered 3.5 g of freeze-dried wheatgrass powder in encapsulated form daily for 10 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Results: The intervention group experienced a reduction of 5.4% in total cholesterol (TC), 4.4% in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 9.5% in triacylglycerols (TAG); however, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) also reduced by 6% following 10 weeks of intervention. Compared with the control group, the baseline-adjusted post-intervention levels of TC, TAG, and Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group (p = 0.043, 0.045, and 0.016, respectively). Prevalence of menopausal symptoms saw nonsignificant reductions: vasomotor, 42%; somatic, 33%; and psychological, 50%, while urogenital symptoms remained unaltered. Conclusions: Wheatgrass supplementation at a dose of 3.5 g per day for a period of 10 weeks results in significant reductions in Apo B fraction, TC, and TAG without significantly reducing the HDL cholesterol.
Be well!
JP