Wheat Grass Claims - Research Paper Example

? Wheat Grass Claims Greg Burchett Health Science And Medicine, Research Paper Section Number: May 23, Wheat GrassClaims The medicinal value of wheat grass was discovered by Ann Wigmore, the founder of the Hippocrates health institute, who popularized the benefits of the grass in the early 1960’s. Wheat grass is a type of food made from the wheat’s cotyledons, Triticum aestivum. It is either sold as juice or concentrate and can be served fresh or freeze dried. Unlike wheat malt, the grass is allowed to grow longer. It contains chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Various claims about the benefits of the grass have developed ranging from providing supplemental nutrition to having medicinal properties. This has made many consumers grow the grass in their homes. It is also sold in juice bars, alone or combined with other vegetable drinks. It can also be found in health food stores as tablets, fresh juice, powder and frozen juice (Turner 73). Source of Living Chlorophyll Research has revealed that the most essential ingredient of wheatgrass is chlorophyll. This chlorophyll is found in specific types of cells called chloroplasts. Although chlorophyll is found in all green plants, wheat grass is the best source for obtaining it. Chloroplasts produce nutritious elements with the help of sunlight. The chlorophyll is comparable with a substance in the hemoglobin called Hemin. In both, the arrangement and number of hydrogen and nitrogen molecules are the same unless where there is magnesium in the centre of chlorophyll molecules and iron in the centre of Hemin molecules. Magnesium is essential and beneficial for about 30 enzymes of the human body. Due to its alkaline nature, wheatgrass is easily absorbed in the blood. Dr. Wigmore refers to wheat grass as a ‘green blood’. Since chlorophyll and Hemin have similar molecules, it is reasonable to conclude that it cures anemia. (Goel 37) Blood Purifier Chlorophyll contains a potential germicidal matter which destroys and paralyzes certain types of germ causing diseases. Many medical practitioners have tried it to heal ailments like skin diseases, Pyoohea, brain hemorrhage, heart diseases, Atherorderosis, varicose ulcer, tropic ulcer and inflammation of the intestines. Chlorophyll purifies blood, facilitates the roles played by the heart and secures a favorable effect on the lungs, blood vessels, intestines and kidneys. It is perfectly safe and has no side effects making it right preferred over other herbal juices. Other leaf green-leaf vegetable may contain medicinal value but their taste is unpalatable (Goel 40). Cure for Tooth Decay Being a liquid, wheatgrass is quickly assimilated in the body. It is sweet and this rush of flavor increases its direct contact with the mucous membranes in the mouth. Chewing the grass also allows the fluid to mix with saliva in the mouth. After it is thoroughly chewed, the remaining fibers are spat out. Chewing gives the teeth good exercise and eventually making them strong and clean. The chlorophyll present in the grass prevents tooth decay. Because of its ability to interfere with bacterial action, chlorophyll is primarily used as an additive to chewing gums to paralyze bacteria that cause bad breath (Wigmore 43). Source of Vitamin A, B and E Wheat grass juice provides as much vitamin A as many dark green vegetables and more than many fruits. Dried juice contains as much vitamin A as carrots, kale and apricots which are all high in vitamin A. the provitamin A, also called carotene and which is converted into vitamin A in the intestines is needed and is safe in any amount. The vitamin A found in the liver, fish oil and animal foods accumulates in the liver and becomes toxic in large amounts. Vitamin A is necessary for daily growth and development, reproduction and right eye sight. Lack of vitamin A leads to disease like night blindness, dry skin, weak and brittle bones, lowered resistance to infections and illnesses. Vitamin A has of late been used to treat cancer (Rubarth 21). Vitamin B speeds up the use of carbohydrates for energy and helps in the nervous and digestive systems. A plenty supply of vitamin B is essential for normal brain and body growth and adrenal glands. The more physical and mental stress, the more vitamin is required. Vitamin A is an antioxidant and fertility vitamin. It assists in muscle development, increases fertility and speeds up healing of wounds and infections. Vitamin E present in wheatgrass is about ten times easily assimilated in the body than synthetic E (Meyerowitz 53). Source of Sodium Wheat grass supplies a good amount of sodium that is required in digestion and elimination and monitoring of the amount of fluid in the body. The human blood contains five gram per pint, the amount of calcium in the blood being 2 percent. However, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, stomach ulcers and stroke. People with small amounts of sodium are advised to use wheat grass as it contains relatively little sodium compared to other prepared foods (Wigmore 43). Validity of the Claims The effectiveness of wheatgrass has been tested by many physicians including Dr. Jensen. In his book, Chlorophyll magic from living plant life, Dr. Jensen mentions several cases where he succeeded to double the red blood cells by having them soaked in bath water. Blood building therefore occurs rapidly when patients drank green juices and wheatgrass regularly (Jensen 110). When comparing nutritional values of wheatgrass and those found in vitamin pills, it is good to remember that nature packages nutrients in a more complex and balanced arrangement. The nutrients in wheatgrass are more readily absorbed in the body compared to when vitamin and mineral supplements are used. Science has also established that when wheat grass is dried, the nutritional value increases due to absence of water. The grass can also be used immediately it is cut and juiced. There are two important aspects of chlorophyll; nutritional value and conversion in the body. First is its role of converting the sun’s energy into a usable form in plants and animals. This greenery substance is transferred into the human body via consumption of wheatgrass. In turn, the body utilizes this super nutritious energy to heal and repair itself. Again, chlorophyll is highly soluble in fat particles and since fat particles are directly absorbed into the blood via lymphatic system, chlorophyll is also absorbed the same way. The new blood is made by the replacement of magnesium ion with iron molecule. Since time immemorial, some herbs not only sustain life but also revive life. The consumption of raw juices is believed to produce better results where medicine and injections have failed. Wheat grass juice has been used globally for a number of decades. Whenever people hurt themselves, they would apply the juice to their wounds. It is with these evidences that I support the claim that wheat grass juice is a cure for many diseases (Cassileth, Simon and Jyothirmai 698). Works Cited Ann, Wig More. The Wheatgrass Book. London. Penguin Books. 1985. Print. Cassileth, Barrie. Yeung Simon And Gubili Jyothirmai, Herb-Drug Interactions In Oncology, China, people’s medical publishing house. 2010. Print. Goel, Satish. Nature Cure For Health and Happiness, New Delhi, Diamond Books. 2011. Print. Jensen, Bernard. Health Magic Through Chlorophyll: From Living Plant Life. California. Bi World Industries. 1998. Print. Lisa, Tuner. Meals That Heal: A Nutraceutical Approach to Diet and Health. New York. Inner Traditions, Bear & Company. 2010. Print. Meyerowitz, Steve. 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. 1999.  Print. Murphy, Sean, Wheatgrass, Healthy For The Body And The Bank Account, ABC Landline. N.d. Web. 23 May, 2012. Rubarth Susan, Living The Raw Life Vegan Lifestyle, New York, Eboolt. 2012. Print. Wheat Grass Kits. Living Whole Foods. 1999. Web. 23 May, 2012. www.wheatgrasskits.com Read More