Wheatgrass



Wheat grass is one of the so-called green foods that are valued by health-conscious individuals as a great natural source of nutrients. In juice form it contains 70% chlorophyll, which is often referred to as the blood of plant life. It closely resembles the molecules of’ human red blood cells. Chlorophyll has been shown to produce an unfavourable environment for bacterial growth in the body and therefore effective in increasing the body's resistance to illness.

Wheatgrass is considered to be a complete food in itself. The fact is that one pound of fresh wheatgrass is equivalent in nutritional value to 23 pounds of choice garden vegetables. Due to its fibrous nature, which is indigestible by humans, wheatgrass must be liquefied before it can be consumed

Wheat grass is known as an alternative cancer therapy. Drinking of wheat grass juice helps your body to build red blood cells which carry oxygen to every cell. By increasing the oxygenation the body you can help offset smog and carbon monoxide and increase your endurance during physical exercise.

Wheat grass has been found to dissolve scars formed in the lungs and in addition helps wash drug deposits from the body, purifies the blood and organs and counteracts acids and toxins in the body. It helps to increase the enzyme level in our cells, aiding in the rejuvenation of the body and the metabolism of nutrients These enzymes assist in dissolving tumors.

This nutrient-rich grass contains 17 amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. The body uses these amino acids for things like building muscle tissue, repairing cells and clotting the blood. Wheatgrass retains 92 of the 102 minerals found in the soil. These minerals include calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and potassium. It is a rich natural source of vitamins A and C. Wheatgrass has more vitamin C than oranges and twice the vitamin A of carrots. It is exceptionally rich in vitamins E, K, and B-complex. It is also a natural source of laetrile (B-17). Wheatgrass produces an immunisation effect against many dietary carcinogens.

Growing wheatgrass to about seven inches tall is optimum for its health benefits. Simply place selected grain in about one-inch of organic soil to enjoy one of the most cleansing and nutritious juices available.Ann Wigmore was responsible for the popularity OF WHEATGRASS JUICE. In The Wheatgrass Book she provides a detailed description of wheatgrass, its properties, uses and remarkable regenerative and anti-aging abilities - and also includes the method of growing and juicing it.

Aside from all the nutrients mentioned above, another less understood ingredient - 'the grass juice factor' is a property of wheatgrass that enables it to sustain life in herbivorous mammals. No other single plant will keep cows, sheep, guinea pigs and mice alive and well through generations. In other animal experiments, wheatgrass was able to return full potency in less than two months to male and female cows that had been unable to produce offspring.

Wheatgrass juice benefits the blood cells, bones, glands, hair, kidneys, liver, muscles, spleen, teeth and other body parts. It can be applied to the skin or scalp and I often use it as a rectal implant via an enema to cleanse the large intestine. It can be used to cleanse eyes, gums, sinuses and teeth.

Wheatgrass juice protects the lungs and blood from water and air pollution, toxins, cigarette smoke and heavy metals. It is also a safe and extremely potent aid to weight loss since it suppresses the appetite and stimulates circulation and metabolism.

One handful will produce approximately an ounce of juice. This can be taken alone, or mixed with other juices such as carrot and apple. Although the grass can be cut and stored in the refrigerator for a few days, once juiced it is not stable and will spoil quickly. Drinking it within fifteen minutes of juicing is optimal. Sipping it slowly over a couple of minutes - on an empty stomach - will provide the most benefits. Slowly increase from one ounce a day to about four ounces each day will gently acclimatise your system to it. Drinking it at mid-morning and mid-afternoon are great times for this green energy pick-you-up.

Wheatgrass can also be taken in tablet and powder form - very useful when travelling. People sensitive, or even allergic to wheat and wheat products - usually to the gluten found in wheat and also rye, barley etc - have no problems with wheatgrass juice, since it contains no gluten in this form. Truly a complete superfood!


FORTY POINTS ABOUT WHEATGRASS AND ITS NUTRITIONAL VALUES

  1. Wheatgrass juice is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll available.
  2. Chlorophyll is the first product of light and, therefore, contains more light energy than any other element.
  3. Wheatgrass juice is a crude chlorophyll and can be taken orally and as a colon implant without toxic side effects.
  4. Chlorophyll is the basis of all plant life.
  5. Wheatgrass is high in oxygen like all green plants that contain chlorophyll. The brain and all body tissues function at an optimal level in a highly-oxygenated environment.
  6. Chlorophyll is anti-bacterial and can be used inside and outside the body as a healer.
  7. Dr. Bernard Jensen says that it only takes minutes to digest wheatgrass juice and uses up very little body energy.
  8. Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of unfriendly bacteria
  9. Chlorophyll (wheatgrass) rebuilds the bloodstream. Studies of various animals have shown chlorophyll to be free of any toxic reaction. The red cell count was returned to normal within 4 to 5 days of the administration of chlorophyll, even in those animals which were known to be extremely anaemic or low in red cell count.
  10. Farmers in the Midwest who have sterile cows and bulls put them on wheatgrass to restore fertility. (The high magnesium content in chlorophyll builds enzymes that restore the sex hormones).
  11. Chlorophyll can be extracted from many plants, but wheatgrass is superior because it has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown in organic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.
  12. Wheatgrass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive far longer than would be expected.
  13. Dr. Ann Wigmore has been helping people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass.
  14. Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them and makes them over.
  15. Wheatgrass juice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables. Dr. Earp-Thomas, associate of Ann Wigmore, says that 15 pounds of wheatgrass is the equivalent of 350 pounds of carrot, lettuce, celery and so forth.
  16. Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.
  17. Chlorophyll neutralises toxins in the body.
  18. Chlorophyll helps purify the liver.
  19. Chlorophyll improves blood sugar problems.
  20. In the American Journal of Surgery, 1940, Benjamin Gruskin, M.D. recommends chlorophyll for its antiseptic benefits. The article suggests the following clinical uses for chlorophyll to clear up foul smelling odours, neutralise strep infections, heal wounds, hasten skin grafting, cure chronic sinusitis, overcome chronic inner-ear inflammation and infection, reduce varicose veins and heal leg ulcers, eliminate impetigo and other scabby eruptions, heal rectal sores, successfully treat inflammation of the uterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infections, reduce typhoid fever, and cure advanced pyorrhoea in many cases.
  21. Wheatgrass juice heals acne and even removes scars after it has been ingested for seven to eight months. The diet must be improved at the same time.
  22. Wheatgrass juice acts as a detergent in the body and is used as a body deodorant.
  23. A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet prevents tooth decay.
  24. Wheatgrass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will eliminate toothaches. It pulls poisons from the gums.
  25. Gargle wheatgrass juice for a sore throat.
  26. Drink wheatgrass juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.
  27. Wheatgrass juice keeps the hair from greying.
  28. Pyorrhea of the mouth: Lay pulp of wheatgrass soaked in juice on diseased area in mouth or chew wheatgrass, spitting out the pulp.
  29. By taking wheatgrass juice, one may feel a difference in strength, endurance, health and spirituality - and experience a sense of well-being.
  30. Wheatgrass juice improves digestion.
  31. Wheatgrass juice is high in enzymes.
  32. Wheatgrass juicr is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through the skin for nutrition. Pour green juice over your body in a tub of warm water and soak for 15-20 minutes, rinse with cold water.
  33. Wheatgrass implants (enemas) are great for healing and detoxifying the colon walls. The implants also heal and cleanse the internal organs. After an enema, wait 20 minutes then implant 4 ounces of wheatgrass juice. Retain for 20 minutes.
  34. Wheatgrass juice is great for constipation and keeping the bowels open. It is high in magnesium.
  35. Dr. Birscher, a research scientist, called chlorophyll 'concentrated sunpower'. He believes that chlorophyll increases the function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus and the lungs.
  36. According to Dr. Birscher, nature uses chlorophyll (wheatgrass) as a body cleanser, re-builder and neutraliser of toxins.
  37. Wheatgrass juice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effect of carbon monoxide is minimised since chlorophyll increases haemoglobin production.
  38. Wheatgrass juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries.
  39. Wheatgrass juice can remove heavy metals from the body.
  40. Wheatgrass juice is great for blood disorders of all kinds
  41. .Proponents of wheatgrass make many claims for its health properties, ranging from promotion of general well-being to cancer prevention and heavy-metal detoxification. These claims have not been satisfactorily substantiated in the scientific literature,[1] although there is some evidence in support of the beneficial effects of chlorophyll in the human diet.[6][7] Some research exists that relates diets high in chlorophyll, present in higher concentrations in green leafy vegetables, to lower rates of colon cancer.[6]

There are a number of other small studies and pilots (not to mention a wealth of anecdotal evidence[when defined as?]) that suggest the need for further study of the possible benefits of wheatgrass juice. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [8], there may be a need for further study of wheatgrass therapy for ulcerative collitis; they cite a small pilot study which showed regular wheatgrass juice therapy significantly reduced rectal bleeding and overall disease activity.[9]


It has been argued that wheatgrass helps blood flowdigestion and generaldetoxification of the body. These claims have not been reliably substantiated. However, in one pilot study of children with thalassemia (a hereditary form of anemia which often requires blood transfusions), of the patients who were given 100ml of wheatgrass juice daily, half showed reduced need for transfusions. No adverse effects were observed.[10] Another small study of transfusion-dependent patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome responded similarly to wheatgrass therapy; that is, the intervals between needed transfusions was increased. In addition, the chelation effect (removal of heavy metals from the blood) was studied for the same patients; the wheatgrass therapy showed a significant iron chelation effect.[11]

In another pilot, breast cancer patients who drank wheatgrass juice daily showed a decreased need for blood- and bone marrow-building medications during chemotherapy, without diminishing the effects of the therapy.[12]


[edit]Wheatgrass vs. common vegetables

Wheatgrass proponent Schnabel claimed in the 1940s that "fifteen pounds of wheatgrass is equal in overall nutritional value to 350 pounds of ordinary garden vegetables",[2] a ratio of 1:23.[13] Despite claims of vitamin and mineral content disproportional to other vegetables, the nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of common vegetables (see table 1).

Wheatgrass is also thought to be superior to other vegetables in its content of Vitamin B12, a vital nutrient. Contrary to popular belief, B12is not contained within wheat grass or any vegetable, rather it is a byproduct of the microorganisms living on plants.[14]. If plants are washed prior to consumption the water soluble B12 will be removed making most plants unreliable sources of B12.[15]


[edit]Detoxification

Another common claim for wheatgrass is that it promotes detoxification. The limited data in support of that claim applies to most green vegetables. [16]

[edit]References

  1. a b Murphy, Sean (2002-10-13). "Wheatgrass, healthy for the body and the bank account"ABC Landline. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
  2. a b c Meyerowitz, Steve (April 1999). "Nutrition in Grass". Wheatgrass Nature's Finest Medicine: The Complete Guide to Using Grass Foods & Juices to Revitalize Your Health (6th ed.). Book Publishing Company. pp. 53. ISBN 1878736973.
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "I hate wheatgrass....and now I know why!"We lLke It Raw. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  5. ^ "USDA Nutrient Database". Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  6. a b de Vogel, Johan; Denise S. M. L. Jonker-Termont, Martijn B. Katan,and Roelof van der Meer (August 2005). "Natural Chlorophyll but Not Chlorophyllin Prevents Heme-Induced Cytotoxic and Hyperproliferative Effects in Rat Colon"J. Nutr. (The American Society for Nutritional Sciences) 135 (8): 1995–2000. PMID 16046728.
  7. ^ Ferruzzia, Mario G.; Blakesleeb, Joshua (January 2007). "Digestion, absorption, and cancer preventative activity of dietary chlorophyll derivatives"Nutrition Research 27 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2006.12.003.
  8. ^ [2]
  9. ^ Ben-Arye, E; Goldin, E; Wengrower, D; Stamper, A; Kohn, R; Berry, E (April 2002). "Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial". Scand J Gastroenterol 37 (4): 444–9.doi:10.1080/003655202317316088PMID 11989836.
  10. ^ Marawaha, RK; Bansal, D; Kaur, S; Trehan, A; Wheatgrass Juice Reduces Transfusion Requirement in Patients with Thalassemia Major: A Pilot Study. Indian Pediatric 2004 Jul;41(7):716-20
  11. ^ S. Mukhopadhyay; J. Basak; M. Kar; S. Mandal; A. Mukhopadhyay; Netaji Subhas; Chandra Bose; Cancer Research Institute, Kolkata, India; NRS Medical College, Kolkata, India; Central Institute for Research (Ayurveda), Kolkata, India. The Role of Iron Chelation Activity of Wheat Grass Juice in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Journal of Clinical Oncology 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 7012) 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting. Presenter: Soma Mukhopadhyay, PhD.
  12. ^ Bar-Sela, Gil; Tsalic, Medy; Fried, Getta; Goldberg, Hadassah. Wheat Grass Juice May Improve Hematological Toxicity Related to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study. Nutrition and Cancer 2007, Vol. 58, No. 1, Pages 43-48.
  13. ^ http://www.ahr-kc.com/reports/american_butter_company
  14. ^ Melina, Vesanto, MS, RD & Davis, Brenda, RD: "The New Becoming Vegetarian", page 186-187. Healthy Living Publications, 2003.
  15. ^ http://www.vitamin-basics.com/index.php?id=48
  16. ^ Fahey, Jed W.; Katherine K. Stephenson, Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova, Patricia A. Egner, Thomas W. Kensler and Paul Talalay (2005)."Chlorophyll, chlorophyllin and related tetrapyrroles are significant inducers of mammalian phase 2 cytoprotective genes".Carcinogenesis 26 (7): 1247–55. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgi068PMID 15774490.