Wheat Grass


 

Wheat Grass Clinical Report Summary

 

Wheat Grass has been called a superfood, an anti-inflammatory, a circulatory cleanser and a metabolism stimulator.  While cultivation of wheat as a crop dates back as much as 9000 years, wheat grass, itself, is relatively new as a dietary supplement. Few scientific studies have been performed to test its effectiveness for specific conditions. The most promising evidence for the medical benefits of wheat grass involve beta-thalassemia and ulcerative colitis. The first condition, a genetic blood disease that can lead to severe anemia and even death, requires its sufferers to get frequent blood transfusions. In one study, patients took 100 ml of wheat grass juice daily for one year. During that year, the blood transfusion requirement fell by over 25% in half the group, a 40% decrease noted in three cases (1). In the study examining the effect of wheat grass on ulcerative colitis, patients took 100 ml of wheat grass juice per day for one month. The group taking wheat grass showed a decrease both in overall disease activity and severity of rectal bleeding vs. control (2).

  

Wheat Grass Overview

 

Wheat grass has become widely popular among health-conscious consumers in recent years. While its exact benefits still remain unknown, it has been used in folk medicine to treat gout, cystitis, skin disorders and constipation, among other conditions. Wheat grass is a complete protein with around thirty enzymes and is roughly 60% crude chlorophyll. Because chlorophyll is very similar in its molecular structure to hemoglobin, it has been hypothesized that that wheat grass can be helpful in promoting blood flow and overall blood health. Because wheat grass is harvested before the wheat plant forms its berries, it is generally considered safe for those with gluten intolerance (gluten is found primarily in the wheat berries) despite being a wheat product. The grass can be either crushed to make a juice or dried to make a powder, both popular in health food preparations.

 

Safe Use of Wheat Grass

 

There is no recommended dosage outside of what has been found in scientific studies, but the general consensus is to take 1-4 oz. per day for health maintenance, 4-8 oz. for therapeutic effects and 8-32 oz. per day for colon cleansing.  

 

Wheat Grass References

 

  1. Marawaha RK, Bansal D, Kaur S, et al. Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. Indian Pediatr. 2004;41(7):716-720
  2. Ben Arye E, Goldin E, Wengrower D, et al. Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand.J Gastroenterol 2002;37(4):444-449.
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