Wheatgrass Forum - Published Research

Does Wheatgrass Juice Oxygenate the Blood of Resting Individuals?

Administrator — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:40:35 GMT

Clinical studies in the medical research literature strongly suggest that ingesting wheatgrass juice can help the body to heal from many diseases. While no studies have attempted to explain why wheatgrass juice has clinically proven benefits, many of the studies hypothesize that wheatgrass juice increases the oxygenation of the blood (and this leads to removal of toxins and increased cellular health). We have administered two ounces of pure wheatgrass juice to 30 resting adults and monitored the blood oxygen level using a pulse oximeter.

Results Summary

It is possible that exercising participants would show a change in blood oxygenation level upon ingesting wheatgrass juice or that blood oxygenation changes during a longer time frame. Our study was designed to test a commonly suggested, but unreferenced, “benefit” of wheatgrass juice. The results of our small study indicate that ingesting wheatgrass juice does not lead to an increase in blood oxygenation levels within 75 minutes for resting, healthy participants.

Full details here:
http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_int...dividuals.html

The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine. 2009 Volume 7 Number 2

Mehan A. Pascuzzi B.Sc.
Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Mercyhurst College

Candee C. Chambers Ph.D.
Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Mercyhurst College

The effect of wheat sprout extract on benzo(a)pyrene and 7,2-dimethylbenz(a)anthracen

Administrator — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:26:03 GMT

The effect of wheat sprout extract on benzo(a)pyrene and 7,2-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene activity.

Tudek B, Peryt B, Miłoszewska J, Szymczyk T, Przybyszewska M, Janik P.

Department of Biochemistry, Warsaw Medical Academy, Poland.

Subcutaneous application of aqueous wheat sprout extract to mice resulted in a slight decrease of the ability of fraction S-9 from their skin to activate DMBA to metabolites mutagenic for S. typhimurium TA 98. Induction by benzo(a)pyrene of sperm abnormalities in mice was diminished after oral administration of the wheat sprout extract; however, even high doses of the extract did not completely abolish the effect of benzo(a)pyrene on spermatozoa. In the carcinogenicity studies, the wheat sprout extract, when applied to mouse skin during the initiation phase, enhanced fourfold the induction of papillomas by DMBA and shortened the period of latency from 9 to 5 weeks.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3146028

Mechanism of antimutagenicity of wheat sprout extracts.

Administrator — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:00:25 GMT

Mechanism of antimutagenicity of wheat sprout extracts.

Peryt B, Szymczyk T, Lesca P.

Department of Biochemistry, Medical Academy, Warsaw, Poland.

In this paper we have demonstrated that wheat sprout extract, which has been shown to be antimutagenic towards benzo[a]pyrene (BP), reduced formation of BP metabolites by hepatic microsomes of either benzo[a]pyrene- or phenobarbital-treated rats as analyzed in high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Comparing the time dependence of profiles and values of BP metabolites, formed in experiments in which the same dose of wheat sprout extract was added to the incubation medium, it has been observed that the later this extract was added the higher the percent of BP that was metabolized. In a bacterial test (cytochrome P450 induction assay) high inhibition of mutagenic activity of cyclophosphamide and ethidium bromide, in the presence of wheat sprout extract, reflected decreased levels of cytochromes P4502B1 and P4501A1 respectively. Decreased levels of both cytochromes P4501A1 and P4502B1 were also observed in either wheat sprout extract- or wheat sprout extract plus benzo[a]pyrene-treated rats. In all of these studies it has been observed that wheat sprout extract displays much more affinity for cytochrome P4501A1 than for the P4502B1 form. On the other hand the wheat sprout extract had higher affinity for carcinogen binding protein (4S protein) than for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The strong inhibition of BP mutagenicity and BP metabolism with non-chlorophyllic wheat sprout extract suggests that chlorophyll is not the main compound responsible for the antimutagenic activity of wheat sprout extract. The similar chromatographic behavior of both the main inhibitory fraction, obtained from wheat sprout extract, and two pure glycosides of apigenin--shaftoside, purified from wheat sprout extract and synthetic swertisine--suggests that antimutagenic compound(s) contained in the wheat sprout extract belong(s) to this family of flavonoids.

Mutat Res. 1992 Oct;269(2):201-15

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1383703

Wheat sprout extract induces changes on 20S proteasomes functionality

Administrator — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:58:44 GMT

Wheat sprout extract induces changes on 20S proteasomes functionality

Amici M, Bonfili L, Spina M, Cecarini V, Calzuola I, Marsili V, Angeletti M, Fioretti E, Tacconi R, Gianfranceschi GL, Eleuteri AM

University of Camerino, Department of Biology M.C.A., 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.

Wheat sprouts contain a very high level of organic phosphates and a powerful cocktail of different molecules such as enzymes, reducing glycosides and polyphenols. The antioxidant properties of wheat sprouts have been widely documented and it has been shown that they are able to protect DNA against free-radicals mediated oxidative damage. Furthermore, we have recently reported on the effects of several polyphenols on 20S proteasomes, underlying the dual role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate as an antioxidant and a proteasome effector in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wheat sprout extracts on 20S proteasome functionality. Wheat sprout extracts have been analysed and characterized for their polyphenolic content using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and RP-HPLC technique. Comparing our data with a polyphenol standard mixture we identified five different polyphenols: gallic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin and catechin. The treatment of isolated 20S proteasomes with the extract induced a gradual inhibition of all the tested components, ChT-L, T-L, PGPH and BrAAP, in both the complexes. At low extract concentration a slight activation of the enzyme was evident only for the BrAAP component of the constitutive enzyme and the ChT-L activity of the immunoproteasome. beta-casein degradation rate decreased, particularly with the immunoproteasome. Human Colon adenocarcinoma (Caco) cells, stimulated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, showed activation of the 20S proteasome activities at short incubation times and an increase in intracellular oxidative proteins. Cells treatment with wheat sprout extract led to proteasome inhibition in unstimulated cells and attenuated the effects mediated by TPA. Finally, exposure to the extract affected the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins.

Biochimie. 2008 May;90(5):790-801. Epub 2007 Dec 23

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18190797

Wheat sprout extract-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells by proteasomes modulatio

Administrator — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:56:50 GMT

Wheat sprout extract-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells by proteasomes modulation

Bonfili L, Amici M, Cecarini V, Cuccioloni M, Tacconi R, Angeletti M, Fioretti E, Keller JN, Eleuteri AM

Department of Molecular, Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy.

Natural occurring modulators of proteasome functionality are extensively investigated for their implication in cancer therapy. On the basis of our previous evidences both on proteasomal inhibition by monomeric polyphenols, and on the characterization of wheat sprout hydroalcoholic extract, herein we thoroughly report on a comparative study of the effect of wheat sprout extract on both normal and tumour cells. Treatment of isolated 20S proteasomes with wheat sprout extracts induced a gradual inhibition of all proteasome activities. Next, two wheat sprout extract components were separated: a polyphenol and a protein fraction. Both components exerted an in vitro inhibitory effect on proteasome activity. HeLa tumour cells and FHs 74 Int normal cells were exposed to both fractions, resulting in different rates of proteasome inhibition, with tumour cells showing a significantly higher degree of proteasome impairment and apoptosis induction. Furthermore, a decrease in proteasome activities and in cell survival of the human plasmacytoma RPMI 8226 cell line, upon the same treatments, was observed. Collectively, our results provide additional evidences supporting the possible use of natural extracts as coadjuvants in cancer treatments.

Biochimie. 2009 Sep;91(9):1131-44. Epub 2009 Jun 13.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19527768

Wheat sprout extract reduces lens opacity and reverses age-related alterations

Administrator — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:42:50 GMT

Aging reversibility: from thymus graft to vegetable extract treatment-- application to cure an age-associated pathology.

Abstract Source:

Biogerontology. 2005;6(4):245-53. PMID: 16333758

Abstract:

Neonatal thymus graft and thymus calf extract (TME) in vivo treatment exert similar corrective actions on different mouse age-related alterations. The aim of the present paper is to investigate whether a vegetal extract, wheat sprout extract (WESPRE), could mimic the thymus action on recovering age-related alterations and if this extract can cure an age-associated pathology, the cataract in dogs. Present experiments were carried out by using WESPRE and TME in vivo in old mice to check their ability to recover the altered DNA synthesis in hepatocyte primary cultures. Old mice treated with WESPRE and TME showed a recovery of hepatocyte DNA synthesis levels when compared with the old untreated ones. The increase of DNA and protein contents observed in aged animals is reduced by WESPRE treatments to levels observed in young mice hepatocytes. We measured also WESPRE phosphorylation activity by endogenous kinase: it was from 10 to 40 times higher with respect to wheat seeds. Old dogs were orally treated for a month and the lens opacity analysed before and after the treatment. Results showed a reduction from 25 to 40% of lens opacity. The efficacy of wheat sprouts in the recovery of age-related alterations and in treating age-associated pathologies could be due to the contemporary presence of small regulatory acid peptides, a remarkable level of highly energetic phosphoric radicals and antioxidant molecules, peculiarities that may be, to some extent, related to the aging process regulation.

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/content/...ons-physiology

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333758

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of wheatgrass

Administrator — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:59:01 GMT

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) as a function of growth under different conditions

Funded by:

Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India under Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)-University of Pune.

Keywordswheatgrass � antioxidant potential � growth period � free radicals � lipid peroxidation � ORAC values

AbstractThe antioxidant activity of wheatgrass, which is consumed as a dietary supplement, was estimated at different levels. The methods employed include FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), ABTS (2,2-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of wheatgrass grown under different conditions over a period of 6, 7, 8, 10 and 15 days were used. Lipid peroxidation and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were determined and utilized to check the potency of a few selected extracts. Different conditions used for growth were (1) tap water, (2) tap water with nutrients, (3) soil and tap water, and (4) soil with nutrients. For comparison, a commercially available wheatgrass tablet was analysed. To explain the reasons behind the observed differences, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were measured. These contents increased with growth under all the conditions. The ethanol extracts were found to have a higher phenolic and flavonoid content than the aqueous extracts. The highest FRAP values occurred on day 15 of growth under condition 4, the values being 0.463 and 0.573 mmol of ascorbic acid and Trolox equivalents/100 g fresh wheatgrass for aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively. In the aqueous extracts no specific trend was observed with the DPPH assay for the different conditions nor for the growth period. In the case of ethanol extracts, however, it increased with the growth period and the wheatgrass grown in condition 4 was found to be the most effective.

These extracts were also found to inhibit significantly ascorbate-Fe2+ induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria. The ORAC values of aqueous and ethanol extracts of day 10 with condition 4 were found to be 39.9 and 48.2, respectively, being higher than those reported for many natural extracts or vegetables.

Sunil D. Kulkarni 1, Jai. C. Tilak 2, R. Acharya 3, Nilima S. Rajurkar 1, T. P. A. Devasagayam 2, A. V. R. Reddy 3 *1Department of Chemistry, University of Pune, Pune 411 007, India
2Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
3Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
email: A. V. R. Reddy (avreddy@magnum.barc.ernet.in)

*Correspondence to A. V. R. Reddy, Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India.

Wheat Sprout Extracts & Inhibition Of Carcinogens

Administrator — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:19:46 GMT

Inhibition Of In Vitro Metabolic Activation Of Carcinogens By Wheat Sprout Extracts

Extracts from the roots and leaves of wheat sprouts selectively inhibited the mutagenic effects of carcinogens requiring metabolic activation. The inhibition of the activation of potent carcinogens is quite strong at a reasonably low level of extract; in addition, the wheat sprout extract is nontoxic even at high levels, while most known inhibitors are toxic at medium to high concentration levels. The inhibitory properties of wheat sprout extract may be explained by the synergistic interaction of metals, or by the interaction of trace elements and vitamins. Alternatively, the extracts may contain antioxidants or enzymes that direct the promutagens to a nonmutagenic product. Mung bean and lentil sprouts also showed inhibitory activities.

Lai, Chiu-Nan; Dabney, Betty J.; Shaw, Charles R.
Nutrition and Cancer (USA)
Serial ID - ISSN 0163-5581
Serial number v. 1(1) p. 27-30
Serial Date (Aut 1978)
http://www.fao.org/agris/search/display.do;jsessionid=1AB5951B0490E632D623D790568F 2E3C?f=./1982/v802/US8045841.xml;US8045841

Wheatgrass Chloroplasts And Sulphite Removal

Administrator — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:12:32 GMT

A Biocatalyst For The Removal Of Sulfite From Alcoholic Beverages

The presence of sulfites in alcoholic beverages, particularly in wines, can cause allergic responses with symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal problems to life threatening anaphylactic shock in a substantial portion of the population. We have developed a simple and inexpensive biocatalytic method that employs wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) chloroplasts for the efficient oxidation of sulfites in wines to innocuous sulfates. A sufficiently high rate of sulfite oxidation was obtained in the presence of ethanol at concentrations commonly found in most wines. Crude chloroplast preparations at a concentration as low as 5 mg/mL were capable of reducing sulfite in commercial white wines from 150 ppm to under 7.5 ppm within 3 hours. A 93% removal of sulfite in commercial red wines was observed with 1 mg/mL chloroplasts within 45 min. Optimal sulfite removal efficiency was observed at pH 8.5 and was promoted by illumination, indicating the participation of light-induced photosynthetic electron transport processes in sulfite oxidation. Overall, this work indicates that biocatalytic oxidation using wheatgrass chloroplasts can be employed to remove sulfites from beverages prior to consumption.

Lin SC; Georgiou G
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/15540199

Wheatgrass Juice & Chemotherapy Toxicity

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:26:05 GMT

Wheat Grass Juice May Improve Hematological Toxicity Related To Chemotherapy In Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study.

Myelotoxicity induced by chemotherapy may become life-threatening. Neutropenia may be prevented by granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GCSF), and epoetin may prevent anemia, but both cause substantial side effects and increased costs. According to non-established data, wheat grass juice (WGJ) may prevent myelotoxicity when applied with chemotherapy. In this prospective matched control study, 60 patients with breast carcinoma on chemotherapy were enrolled and assigned to an intervention or control arm. Those in the intervention arm (A) were given 60 cc of WGJ orally daily during the first three cycles of chemotherapy, while those in the control arm (B) received only regular supportive therapy. Premature termination of treatment, dose reduction, and starting GCSF or epoetin were considered as "censoring events." Response rate to chemotherapy was calculated in patients with evaluable disease. Analysis of the results showed that five censoring events occurred in Arm A and 15 in Arm B (P = 0.01). Of the 15 events in Arm B, 11 were related to hematological events. No reduction in response rate was observed in patients who could be assessed for response. Side effects related to WGJ were minimal, including worsening of nausea in six patients, causing cessation of WGJ intake. In conclusion, it was found that WGJ taken during FAC chemotherapy may reduce myelotoxicity, dose reductions, and need for GCSF support, without diminishing efficacy of chemotherapy. These preliminary results need confirmation in a phase III study.

Bar-Sela G, Tsalic M, Fried G, Goldberg H.
Division of Oncology,
Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Haifa 31096, Israel
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/17571966

Wheatgrass Juice & Terminal Cancer

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:19:38 GMT

Effect Of Wheat Grass Juice In Supportive Care Of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients - A Tertiary Cancer Centre Experience From India

Background: The solid content of juice made from wheat grass is 70% chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is often referred to as "The blood of plant life" and has almost the same chemical structure as haemoglobin. Chlorophyll cleanses the blood by improving the supply of oxygen to the circulatory system. Wheat grass is also a complete protein with about 30 enzymes, vitamins & minerals. Wheat grass juice has been proven over many years to benefit people in numerous ways, building the blood, restoring balance in the body, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver & kidneys and restoring vitality. The aim of our study was to see the effect of wheat grass juice in terminally ill cancer patients to improve the quality of life.

Methods: During period from January 2003 to December 2005 we selected 400 solid organ cancer patients in our palliative care unit of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute to see the effect of wheat grass on improvement of haemoglobin level, serum protein & performance status on terminally ill cancer patients. The age range of the patients was 22 year to 87 year (median age 42 years). The different types of cancers were Lung (25%), Breast (20%), Oesophagaus (11%), Colon (9%), Ovary (8%), Hepatocellular carcinoma (6%), Stomach (6%) and others (15%) respectively. We cultivated wheat grass in our campus. When the grasses were 5 days old we took the fresh leaves including roots and made fresh juice out of that and had given 30ml of juice to all our 400 cancer patients for continuous 6 months.

Result: The mean levels of haemoglobin, Serum total protein, albumin and performance status were 8gm%, 5.4gm%, 2.2gm% and 50%. Fifty patients required transfusion support & those patients were excluded from the study. Other 348 patients are evaluated 6 months after giving wheat grass juice. The mean values for haemoglobin, total protein & albumin were improved significantly (pvalue < .005) and were observed mean of 9.6gm%, 7.4gm% and 3.1gm%. White blood cell & platelet count were same in both the cases. The performance status was improved from 50% to 70% (Karnofsky) after wheat grass treatment.

Conclusion: We concluded that wheat grass juice is an effective alternative of blood transfusion. Its use in terminally ill cancer patients should be encouraged.

S. Dey, R. Sarkar, P. Ghosh, R. Khatun, K. Ghorai, R. Choudhury, R. Ahmed, P. Gupta, S. Mukhopadhyay, A. Mukhopadhyay
Journal of Clinical Oncology
2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings
Part I. Vol 24, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 8634
Link At Asco.org

Wheatgrass Juice & Ulcerative Colitis

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:18:32 GMT

Wheat Grass Juice In The Treatment Of Active Distal Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The use of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum) juice for treatment of various gastrointestinal and other conditions had been suggested by its proponents for more than 30 years, but was never clinically assessed in a controlled trial. A preliminary unpublished pilot study suggested efficacy of wheat grass juice in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. One gastroenterology unit in a tertiary hospital and three study coordinating centers in three major cities in Israel. Twenty-three patients diagnosed clinically and sigmoidoscopically with active distal UC were randomly allocated to receive either 100 cc of wheat grass juice, or a matching placebo, daily for 1 month. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by a 4-fold disease activity index that included rectal bleeding and number of bowel movements as determined from patient diary records, a sigmoidoscopic evaluation, and global assessment by a physician.

RESULTS: Twenty-one patients completed the study, and full information was available on 19 of them. Treatment with wheat grass juice was associated with significant reductions in the overall disease activity index (P=0.031) and in the severity of rectal bleeding (P = 0.025). No serious side effects were found. Fresh extract of wheat grass demonstrated a prominent tracing in cyclic voltammetry methodology, presumably corresponding to four groups of compounds that exhibit anti-oxidative properties.

CONCLUSION: Wheat grass juice appeared effective and safe as a single or adjuvant treatment of active distal UC.

Ben-Arye E; Goldin E; Wengrower D; Stamper A; Kohn R; Berry E
Dept. of Family Medicine
The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Haifa 31096
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/11989836

Wheatgrass Juice & Transfusion Requirements

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:16:50 GMT

Wheat Grass juice Reduces Transfusion Requirement In Patients With Thalassemia Major: A Pilot Study.

Wheat grass juice is the juice extracted from the pulp of wheat grass and has been used as a general-purpose health tonic for several years. Several of our patients in the thalassemia unit began consuming wheat grass juice after anecdotal accounts of beneficial effects on transfusion requirements. These encouraging experiences prompted us to evaluate the effect of wheat grass juice on transfusion requirements in patients with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia. Families of patients raised the wheat grass at home in kitchen garden/pots. The patients consumed about 100 mL of wheat grass juice daily. Each patient acted as his own control. Observations recorded during the period of intake of wheat grass juice were compared with one-year period preceding it. Variables recorded were the interval between transfusions, pre-transfusion hemoglobin, amount of blood transfused and the body weight. A beneficial effect of wheat grass juice was defined as decrease in the requirement of packed red cells (measured as grams/Kg body weight/year) by 25% or more. 16 cases were analyzed. Blood transfusion requirement fell by >25% in 8 (50%) patients with a decrease of >40% documented in 3 of these. No perceptible adverse effects were recognized.

Marawaha RK; Bansal D; Kaur S; Trehan
A Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
Chandigarh 160 012, India
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/15297687

Diet (Including Wheatgrass) & Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:14:51 GMT

Dietary Factors in the Modulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity

A randomized controlled trial of wheatgrass juice in the management of ulcerative colitis has demonstrated some efficacy. While sigmoidoscopic evaluation failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the treatment and control group, it was demonstrated that there was a significant difference in other symptomatic indicators of disease activity, such as rectal bleeding. Although there was not a statistically significant difference in relation to sigmoidoscopic evaluation, 78% of the treatment group improved compared to 30% of the control group.

Shinil Shah, DO, PGY-1
Resident, Department of Surgery,
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Houston, Texas
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/553039 (Section 15 of 20)

Wheatgrass Higher In Antioxidants When Grown Longer

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:14:09 GMT

Evaluation Of The Antioxidant Activity Of Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) As A Function Of Growth Under Different Conditions

The antioxidant activity of wheatgrass, which is consumed as a dietary supplement, was estimated at different levels. The methods employed include FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), ABTS (2,2'-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of wheatgrass grown under different conditions over a period of 6, 7, 8, 10 and 15 days were used. Lipid peroxidation and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were determined and utilized to check the potency of a few selected extracts. Different conditions used for growth were (1) tap water, (2) tap water with nutrients, (3) soil and tap water, and (4) soil with nutrients. For comparison, a commercially available wheatgrass tablet was analysed. To explain the reasons behind the observed differences, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were measured. These contents increased with growth under all the conditions. The ethanol extracts were found to have a higher phenolic and flavonoid content than the aqueous extracts. The highest FRAP values occurred on day 15 of growth under condition 4, the values being 0.463 and 0.573 mmol of ascorbic acid and Trolox equivalents/100 g fresh wheatgrass for aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively. In the aqueous extracts no specific trend was observed with the DPPH assay for the different conditions nor for the growth period. In the case of ethanol extracts, however, it increased with the growth period and the wheatgrass grown in condition 4 was found to be the most effective. These extracts were also found to inhibit significantly ascorbate-Fe2+ induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria. The ORAC values of aqueous and ethanol extracts of day 10 with condition 4 were found to be 39.9 and 48.2, respectively, being higher than those reported for many natural extracts or vegetables.

Kulkarni SD; Tilak JC; Acharya R; Rajurkar NS; Devasagayam TP
Reddy AV Department of Chemistry
University of Pune
Pune 411 007, India.
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16521113

Wheatgrass Nutrition Higher When Grown Longer

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:12:42 GMT

Determination Of Elemental Concentration Profiles In Tender Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Samples of shoots and roots of tender wheatgrass/wheat plants collected over a period of 20 days were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The wheatgrass (wheat: Triticum aestivum L.) samples analysed were grown in three different conditions namely (i) tap water, (ii) nutrient compounds with tap water, and (iii) soil and tap water. A total of 15 elements were determined in these samples. In addition, a commercially available wheatgrass tablet was analysed. Accuracy of the method was evaluated by analysing two biological reference materials, SRM 1573a (Tomato leaves) from NIST and ICHTJ-CTA-vtl-2 (Tobacco leaves) from INCT. The paper discusses the elemental concentration levels, their trends and concentration ratios of elements in shoot-to-root grown in these three conditions of growth. It was observed that the elements such as K, Na, Ca and Mg increased linearly in the shoots with the growth period whereas the concentrations of the elements namely Zn, Mn and Fe remained constant in shoots after 8th day of plant growth for all three conditions of growth. However, it was observed that the shoot to root concentration ratio in all the conditions increased linearly for K, Na, Ca, Mg and Cl and decreased for Zn, Fe, Mn, and Al with growth period.

S.D. Kulkarni, N.S. Rajurkar
Department of Chemistry, University of Pune, Pune 411 007, India
R. Acharya, A.G.C. Nair, A.V.R. Reddy
Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.04.006

Wheatgrass & Bioavailability Of K, Mn, Zn, Fe and Na

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:11:05 GMT

Evaluation Of Bioaccessibility Of Some Essential Elements From Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) By In Vitro Digestion Method

Bioaccessibility of some essential elements namely K, Mn, Zn, Fe and Na from wheatgrass, consumed as dietary supplement, was measured by in vitro gastric and gastro-intestinal digestion methods. Neutron activation analysis was used to determine bioaccessible concentration of these elements. Bioaccessibility of these elements in commercial wheatgrass tablets and wheat grains was also determined. From both the methods, it was found that bioaccessibility of the elements studied was the highest from fresh wheatgrass and the lowest for wheat seeds. The range of values determined by gastric digestion for wheatgrass, wheatgrass tablets and wheat seeds were 37�57%, 17�43% and 9�38% respectively. Corresponding bioaccessibility values determined by gastro-intestinal digestion method were 39�60%, 34�55% and 15�23% respectively. These studies suggested that fresh wheatgrass grown in the laboratory is an effective source of minerals.

S.D. Kulkarni, N.S. Rajurkar
Department of Chemistry, University of Pune, Pune 411 007, India
R. Acharya, A.V.R. Reddy
Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.07.057

Diet (Including Wheatgrass) And Rheumatoid Arthritis / Fibromyalgia

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:09:49 GMT

Vegan Diet In Physiological Health Promotion

We have performed a number of studies including dietary interventions and cross-sectional studies on subjects consuming uncooked vegan food called living food (LF) and clarified the changes in several parameters related to health risk factors. LF consists of germinated seeds, cereals, sprouts, vegetables, fruits, berries and nuts. Some items are fermented and contain a lot of lactobacilli. The diet is rich in fiber. It has very little sodium, and it contains no cholesterol. Food items like berries and wheat grass juice are rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids. The subjects eating living food show increased levels of carotenoids and vitamins C and E and lowered cholesterol concentration in their sera. Urinary excretion of sodium is only a fraction of the omnivorous controls. Also urinary output of phenol and p-cresol is lowered as are several fecal enzyme levels which are considered harmful. The rheumatoid arthritis patients eating the LF diet reported amelioration of their pain, swelling of joints and morning stiffness which all got worse after finishing LF diet. The composite indices of objective measures showed also improvement of the rheumatoid arthritis patients during the intervention. The fibromyalgic subjects eating LF lost weight compared to their omnivorous controls. The results on their joint stiffness and pain (visual analogue scale), on their quality of sleep, on health assessment questionnaire and on general health questionnaire all improved. It appears that the adoption of vegan diet exemplified by the living food leads to a lessening of several health risk factors to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Rheumatoid patients subjectively benefited from the vegan diet which was also seen in serum parameters and fecal analyses.

H�nninen O; Rauma AL; Kaartinen K; Nenonen M
Department of Physiology
University of Kuopio, Finland
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/10943644

Supplements (Including Wheatgrass) For Peritoneal Cancer

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:08:37 GMT

Bovine Cartilage, Coenzyme Q10, And Wheat Grass Therapy For Primary Peritoneal Cancer

The accepted postsurgical first-line therapy for primary peritoneal cancer has been a regime of chemotherapy. This paper reports the case of an 89-year-old female who refused chemotherapy but accepted a nutritional alternative. Results after more than 4 years of the nutritional regime have been encouraging with regards to objective and subjective measures.

Forgionne GA.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Catonsville, MD 21250, USA
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=1 5750376

Diet (Including Wheatgrass) And Rheumatoid Arthritis

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:07:44 GMT

Effect Of A Strict Vegan Diet On Energy And Nutrient Intakes By Finnish Rheumatoid Patients

Dietary intake data of 43 Finnish rheumatoid arthritis patients were collected using 7-day food records. The subjects were randomized into a control and a vegan diet groups, consisting of 22 and 21 subjects, respectively. The subjects in the vegan diet group received an uncooked vegan diet ('living food') for 3 months, and they were tutored daily by a living-food expert. The subjects in the control group continued their usual diets and received no tutoring. Adherence to the strict vegan diet was assessed on the basis of urinary sodium excretion and by the information on consumption of specific food items (wheatgrass juice and the rejuvelac drink). The use of these drinks was variable, and some boiled vegetables were consumed occasionally. However, only one of the subjects in the vegan diet group lacked a clear decrease in urinary sodium excretion. Rheumatoid patients had lower than recommended intakes of iron, zinc and niacin, and their energy intake was low compared to mean daily energy intake of the healthy Finnish females of the same age. Shifting to the uncooked vegan diet significantly increased the intakes of energy and many nutrients. In spite of the increased energy intake, the group on the vegan diet lost 9% of their body weight during the intervention period, indicating a low availability of energy from the vegan diet.

Rauma AL; Nenonen M; Helve T; H�nninen O
Department of Clinical Nutrition
University of Kuopio, Finland
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/8269890

Ineffective: Wheatgrass Cream & Plantar Fasciitis

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:06:50 GMT

The Effect Of Topical Wheatgrass Cream On Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Note: Wheatgrass Cream Was Concluded To Be Ineffective For This Condition

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of a topical wheatgrass cream for improving pain and function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING: Eighty participants with chronic plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to a treatment group (wheatgrass cream) or a control group (placebo cream). All participants applied a cream twice daily for 6 weeks. Follow up was conducted at 6 and 12 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for daily first-step pain and the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) for overall foot function. Secondary measures of foot posture, calf muscle strength and range of ankle dorsiflexion were also assessed.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups with respect to main outcomes of first-step pain or foot function at any time. Both groups improved significantly from baseline to 6 weeks, and these improvements were maintained at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: The topical application of wheatgrass cream is no more effective than a placebo cream for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Young MA; Cook JL
Webster KE Musculoskeletal Research Centre
School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University
Bundoora, Australia.
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16473748

Wheatgrass And Ice Structuring Proteins

Administrator — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:51:31 GMT

Ice Recrystallization Inhibition In Ice Cream As Affected By Ice Structuring Proteins From Winter Wheat Grass
Note: The Presence Of Ice Structuring Proteins May Help Explain Why We Believe Wheatgrass Juice Is An Excellent Frozen Product

Ice recrystallization in quiescently frozen sucrose solutions that contained some of the ingredients commonly found in ice cream and in ice cream manufactured under commercial conditions, with or without ice structuring proteins (ISP) from cold-acclimated winter wheat grass extract (AWWE), was assessed by bright field microscopy. In sucrose solutions, critical differences in moisture content, viscosity, ionic strength, and other properties derived from the presence of other ingredients (skim milk powder, corn syrup solids, locust bean gum) caused a reduction in ice crystal growth. Significant ISP activity in retarding ice crystal growth was observed in all solutions (44% for the most complex mix) containing 0.13% total protein from AWWE. In heat-shocked ice cream, ice recrystallization rates were significantly reduced 40 and 46% with the addition of 0.0025 and 0.0037% total protein from AWWE. The ISP activity in ice cream was not hindered by its inclusion in mix prior to pasteurization. A synergistic effect between ISP and stabilizer was observed, as ISP activity was reduced in the absence of stabilizer in ice cream formulations. A remarkably smoother texture for ice creams containing ISP after heat-shock storage was evident by sensory evaluation. The efficiency of ISP from AWWE in controlling ice crystal growth in ice cream has been demonstrated.

Regand A, Goff HD
Department of Food Science
University of Guelp
Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16357267