| Wheat Grass Benefits and Side Effects June 2007 |
Fresh leaf buds of wheat grass (tritium aestivum or agropyron
cristatum) are often crushed to prepare a juice. [4] While wheat
grass may also be dried or dehydrated then grounded into
powder for colon health(?). Wheat grass contains chlorophyll,
amino acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants
(e.g. carotenoids and flavonoids). [3]
Without much or even no medical nor scientific evidence, wheat
grass is promoted to benefit people at risk of cancers,
menopause, colon and liver diseases. From its high contents of
fibers and antioxidants, wheat grass may possibly have such
health benefits. But, we do want to see the scientific evidence
to support such health claims.
On the other hand, some researchers conducted a few clinical
studies about the health effects or benefits on colon diseases,
arthritis and thalassemia. Here is a summary of three studies.
In a randomized, double-blind study, Ben-Arye E and
co-workers from Israel Institute of Technology, supplemented
23 patients suffered from ulcerative colitis with 100 cc of wheat
grass juice daily for one month. They found significant
improvements of these patients in disease activity index such
as rectal bleeding and bowel movement. They found no serious
side effects.
Indian researchers treated patients with thalassemia with 100
mL of wheat grass juice daily. They found a decrease in the
need of packed red cells by 25% or more. They didn't notice
any adverse side effects. [2] Thalassemia (British spelling,
"thalassaemia") is an inherited autonomic recessive blood
disease. In thalassemia, the genetic defect results in reduced
rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up
hemoglobin.
Researchers from Finland included wheat grass juice and
berries in their special diets for patients suffered from
rheumatoid arthritis. During the study, researchers noticed the
improvement of joint stiffness and pain and quality of sleep. [3]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT
WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION AND BEFORE TAKING
ANY SUPPLEMENTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2007.
[1] Ben-Arye E, Goldin E, Wengrower D, Stamper A, Kohn R, Berry E. Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative
colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr;37(4):444-9. [2] Marawaha RK, et al,
Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. Indian Pediatr. 2004
Jul;41(7):716-20. [3] Hänninen O, Rauma AL, Kaartinen K, Nenonen M. Vegan diet in physiological health promotion. Acta Physiol
Hung. 1999;86(3-4):171-80. [4] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
cristatum) are often crushed to prepare a juice. [4] While wheat
grass may also be dried or dehydrated then grounded into
powder for colon health(?). Wheat grass contains chlorophyll,
amino acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants
(e.g. carotenoids and flavonoids). [3]
Without much or even no medical nor scientific evidence, wheat
grass is promoted to benefit people at risk of cancers,
menopause, colon and liver diseases. From its high contents of
fibers and antioxidants, wheat grass may possibly have such
health benefits. But, we do want to see the scientific evidence
to support such health claims.
On the other hand, some researchers conducted a few clinical
studies about the health effects or benefits on colon diseases,
arthritis and thalassemia. Here is a summary of three studies.
In a randomized, double-blind study, Ben-Arye E and
co-workers from Israel Institute of Technology, supplemented
23 patients suffered from ulcerative colitis with 100 cc of wheat
grass juice daily for one month. They found significant
improvements of these patients in disease activity index such
as rectal bleeding and bowel movement. They found no serious
side effects.
Indian researchers treated patients with thalassemia with 100
mL of wheat grass juice daily. They found a decrease in the
need of packed red cells by 25% or more. They didn't notice
any adverse side effects. [2] Thalassemia (British spelling,
"thalassaemia") is an inherited autonomic recessive blood
disease. In thalassemia, the genetic defect results in reduced
rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up
hemoglobin.
Researchers from Finland included wheat grass juice and
berries in their special diets for patients suffered from
rheumatoid arthritis. During the study, researchers noticed the
improvement of joint stiffness and pain and quality of sleep. [3]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT
WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION AND BEFORE TAKING
ANY SUPPLEMENTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2007.
[1] Ben-Arye E, Goldin E, Wengrower D, Stamper A, Kohn R, Berry E. Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative
colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr;37(4):444-9. [2] Marawaha RK, et al,
Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. Indian Pediatr. 2004
Jul;41(7):716-20. [3] Hänninen O, Rauma AL, Kaartinen K, Nenonen M. Vegan diet in physiological health promotion. Acta Physiol
Hung. 1999;86(3-4):171-80. [4] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.