wheat grass... any science to this fad?

If we look at oxygen as a bullet to kill cancer cells, then we should look at wheatgrass as a shotgun blast at treating cancer. The number of ways it deals with cancer is incredible. First of all it contains chlorophyll, which has almost the same molecular structure as hemoglobin. Chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production, meaning more oxygen gets to the cancer. Selenium and laetrile are also in wheatgrass, both are anticancer. Chlorophyll and selenium also help build the immunity system. Furthermore, wheatgrass is one of the most alkaline foods known to mankind. And the list goes on.

Just what are these ”anti-oxidants’ we hear so much about these days - such as Superoxide Dismutase? During normal metabolism (i.e. activity of the cells) our body produces waste products with active atoms attached - looking for something to combine with.These degenerative changes include: cell mutations - which can lead to cancer; Parkinson’s disease, and; aging processes - such as the dreaded wrinkles!P4D1This is a ”gluco-protein’ present in wheat grass, which has three main properties:It appears to act in a way similar to anti-oxidants as far as cell mutations are concerned. It stimulates the renewal of RNA and DNA - the creative matter of the body. This means that cell deterioration and mutation will be slowed down or avoided. Therefore, there will probably be benefits from using wheat grass to avoid - or even during - degenerative diseases.It appears to reduce inflammation - some say in a more powerful way than cortisone (and without the side-effects, of course). Some remarkable cures have been observed with wheat grass for people with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

MUCO-POLYSACCHARIDESThese are a combination of complex and simple sugars which appear to stimulate the body’s repair mechanisms. Enhancing these mechanisms is important, because the body is constantly repairing and replacing damaged cells. If you can do this better, it means you will ”age’ better.

CHLOROPHYLLChemically, chlorophyll is almost identical to hemoglobin - the substance which transports oxygen from the Lungs to the tissues of the body. Out of about 50 atoms in the compound, only two are different. The main difference is that at the centre of chlorophyll there is a magnesium ion; whereas hemoglobin has iron in the same place.
The action of chlorophyll is so important, that two Nobel prizes were awarded for research on the compound.
Chlorophyll’s health properties were observed as early as 1950, when Offen Krantz reported the healing of long standing peptic ulcers after the application of chlorophyll.
The benefits of chlorophyll fall into three main categories, purifying, anti-inflammatory, and nourishing.

But according to the DeKalb Medical Centerthere was a link here that doesn't work. but here's the hospital site http://www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org/)
Only cud-chewing animals with multiple stomachs can properly digest grass to absorb its nutrients. Even though we can decide to liquefy wheatgrass into a juice we still can not benefit from it.

. enzymes wheatgrass juice delivers. Enzymes are complex protein compounds produced by living cells that speed up biochemical reactions required for proper and normal functioning of every organ system and have also been found to aid digestion!Enzymes have been found to aid digestion? Well, of course they have - but not the enzymes in stuff you eat! From the National Council Against Health Fraud:Enzymes are complex protein molecules produced by living organisms exclusively for their own use in promoting chemical reactions. Orally ingested enzymes are digested in the stomach and have no enzymatic activity in the eater.The plant produces enzymes to help it (the plant) digest the nutrients it needs. The human body produces enzymes to help it (the human body) digest the nutrients it needs. But they are not the same enzymes - they’re different molecules! Plant enzymes in stuff you eat do not aid your digestion.

wheatgrass proponent Piter U. Caizer, known as the "wheat grass messiah," argues that there is literally an energy, a life force eastern healers call "chi," present in fresh-squeezed wheatgrassOf course! It’s the “chi”. It contains something no scientific instrument has even been able to detect. Wow! How do they know? I’m convinced.Anyway, I found one thing that Jamba Juice and the National Council Against Health Fraud do agree on. First (all emphasis mine) the National Council Against Health Fraud . it is conceivable that enzymes present in rectally-administered wheatgrass juice could have chemical activityAnd Jamba Juice:For the more dedicated enthusiast, wheat grass can be taken as an enema!

What is the history behind it?The wheatgrass diet was developed by Boston resident Ann Wigmore, who emigrated to the United States from Lithuania. Wigmore believed strongly in the healing power of nature. Wigmores notion that fresh wheatgrass had therapeutic value came from her interpretation of the Bible and observations that dogs and cats eat grass when they feel ill. Wigmore claimed that the wheatgrass diet could cure disease.In 1982, the Massachusetts Attorney General sued Wigmore for claiming that her program could reduce or eliminate the need for insulin in diabetics. Afterward, she retracted her claims. In 1988, the Massachusetts Attorney General sued Wigmore again, this time for claiming that an "energy enzyme soup" she invented could cure AIDS. Wigmore was ordered to stop representing herself as a physician or person licensed to treat disease.
What is the evidence?There is no scientific evidence to suggest that wheatgrass or the wheatgrass diet can cure or prevent disease, although one small early study found that, used along with standard medical care, wheatgrass juice seemed to help control symptoms of ulcerative colitis (chronically inflamed large intestine.) This 2002 study tested fresh wheatgrass juice against a sham drink in a group of people with ulcerative colitis. All of them received regular medical care, including the usual diet. Those who drank about 3 ounces of the juice every day for a month had less pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding than those in the control group.Although there are anecdotal (individual) reports that describe tumor regression and extended survival among people with cancer who followed the wheatgrass diet, there are no scientific studies to support this claim. However, wheat grass is a natural source of vitamins and minerals. The American Cancer Societys nutrition guidelines recommend eating a balanced diet that includes 5 or more servings a day of vegetables and fruit, choosing whole grains over processed and refined foods and limiting red meats and animal fats. Choosing foods from a variety of fruits, vegetables and other plant sources such as nuts, seeds, whole grain cereals, and beans is healthier than consuming large amounts of one particular food.Are there any possible problems or complications?Wheatgrass is generally considered safe, although a few individuals have reported nausea, headaches, hives, or swelling in the throat within minutes of drinking its juice. Hives and swollen throat are often signs of a serious allergic reaction and should be handled as an emergency. Anyone having these kinds of symptoms after ingesting wheatgrass may have even more severe reactions to it later.Because it is grown in soils or water and consumed raw, contamination with bacteria, molds, or other substances may be a concern. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use wheatgrass.

Drink red grape juice. Not the fancy white/peach/flavored - but just plain good old fashioned red grape juice. Grapes to our blood is like chlorophyll to plants.From health food store get DRIED WHEATGRASS JUICE capsules. Sunny Green brand if available. Just make sure it's the juice and not JUST dried wheatgrass.

In 1936, Dr. Arthur Patek reported the results of an interesting study. Fifteen patients with iron-deficiency anemia were fed different amounts of chlorophyll along with iron. It was already known that iron alone cures this condition, but Patek found that when chlorophyll and iron were given together, the number of red blood cells and the level of blood hemoglobin increased faster than with iron alone. No such results for this type of anemia were obtained with chlorophyll alone. My understanding of what wheatgrass MAY do is in a sense turbocharged the hemoglobin cells by increasing the amount of oxygen, this leads to quicker cell death. As the problem lies with the ability of your system to produce new cells the use of wheatgrass may have an initial benefit, but also may lead to faster hemoglobin cell death. This I would think would not be a good long term therapy outcome, unless one were in the last few weeks of riba therapy.Keep in mind that only cud-chewing animals with multiple stomachs can properly digest grass to absorb its nutrients. Even though we can decide to liquefy wheatgrass into a juice we still can not benefit from it, as humans cant digest grass: you need multiple stomachs like a cow. Perhaps its the enzymes wheatgrass juice delivers. Enzymes are complex protein compounds produced by living cells that speed up biochemical reactions required for proper and normal functioning of every organ system and have also been found to aid digestion. Enzymes are complex protein molecules produced by living organisms exclusively for their own use in promoting chemical reactions. Orally ingested enzymes are digested in the stomach and have no enzymatic activity in the eater. Enzymes do not fulfill the biological criteria for living things, because they do not, consist of cellular units, possess reproductive ability, demonstrate irritability; carry on metabolism; or grow. Personally I object to cheating people for money. These forms of therapy may divert patients from more responsible care, create false hope that eventually leads to greater despair, expose patients to quacks and cranks who traditionally foster dependency relationships that permit further exploitation.One could suggest also in the abstract that Dildos will cure Erectile Dysfunction. On the other hand, I can provide some evidence for some alt meds, as recently, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, who is an acquaintance of my house mate, brought her some Chinese tea and herbs to cure her cold. I can attest that this tea and these herbs worked miracles. Within two weeks, my house mates cold was gone and I managed to avoid the cold altogether. The miracle is that all we had to do was touch the boxes of tea and herbs. We didn't even have to open them, much less use them to release their magic healing powers. We put them in a cupboard, thinking they'd be useless, but boy did we get a surprise when we realized how effective they were.