Wheat Grass Treatment

Wheat grass is usually taken as a dietary supplement, but proponents of alternative medicine advocate wheat grass as a cancer treatment. While there is no evidence that wheat grass cures or prevents cancer, there is research that suggests it promotes general health.

History

According to the American Cancer Society, Ann Wigmore developed wheat grass as a treatment for cancer. She observed that animals consumed raw grasses when ill and applied this logic to humans. This premise is somewhat faulty because dogs consume grass when sick to induce vomiting, as PetMD.com explains.

Claims

Proponents of wheat grass usage believe it can treat cancer. Wheat grass contains high levels of chlorophyll, which has as similar molecular structure to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood. CancerTutor.com explains the theory behind wheat grass treatments is that chlorophyll acts as hemoglobin in the human body by carrying oxygen, which allegedly attacks cancerous cells.

Research

According to the American Cancer Society, there is no scientific evidence supporting claims that wheat grass treats cancer. However, a study conducted by Ben-Ayre E. et al involving 21 subjects found that wheat grass consumption was beneficial for individuals with distal ulcerative colitis. The American Society of Clinical Oncology references another study involving 348 terminally ill cancer patients, which demonstrated that wheat grass improved patients' general quality of life based on the measures hemoglobin, Serum total protein, albumin and "performance status." On average, all of these measures increased after six months of consuming wheat grass.

Health Benefits

Though there is not proof that wheat grass cures or prevents disease, it has many health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants and nutrients such as beta carotene, vitamins E, C and B, and is equivalent to a serving of vegetables. It is also promoted as treatment for the common cold, fever, sore throat, and infections, according to Cancer.org.

Risks

Because wheat grass is typically consumed in raw juice form, there is a risk that bacteria from the soil could contaminate the juice. People with compromised immune systems should be especially cautious. Wheat grass is also sold as pills and powder, which are not regulated by the FDA. There is no guarantee that these products contain actual wheat grass or are safe to consume. Also, there is no research about wheat grass interactions with medications.