MEDICAL STUDY
Clinical Research Findings:
BARLEY Lower Cholesterol,
LDL Oxidation and Free Radical Actitvity in the Blood
In the last twenty-five years researchers have published a number of in vitro and in vivo laboratory studies demonstrating that Barley and its constituents exhibit potent antioxidant, detoxifying, and cholesterol-lowering properties. Until recently, the findings of these laboratory studies have been supported by only a few clinical trials. However, in the last three years, a series of clinical trials have been published that offer substantial support for the antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects of Barley in both healthy and health-compromised individuals.
Four clinical studies performed in the last 3 years by Dr. Ching-Min Tsai from the Graduate Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at Fu Jen University and the Department of Bioscience Technology at Chung Yuan University (both in Taipei, Taiwan) and colleagues have demonstrated that dietary changes including daily supplementation with Barley may provide several important benefits for cardiovascular function.
Healthy blood flow through our bodies is essential for optimal health and well-being and restrictions in cardiovascular function may result in both acute and chronic problems. While dietary, lifestyle, and genetic factors all play a role in cardiovascular function, dietary changes may offer a relatively convenient means of promoting cardiovascular function, healthy blood flow, and enhanced quality of life.
I. Lowering Cholesterol and Preventing LDL Oxidation with a Diet Rich in Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Barley Grass Juice Powder.
Liu WC, Tsai CE. Young Barley Leaf Prevents LDL Oxidation in Humans. Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry [published by The Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology] Vol. 4 (3): 110-116 (2002).
Research has shown that elevated cholesterol levels and oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood are two factors affecting cardiovascular function. The type of fat consumed in the diet can affect both the levels of cholesterol and LDL oxidation. For example, while consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) may increase cholesterol levels, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as found in soybean oil can have the opposite effect. However, PUFAs may also have the unwanted effect of increasing the oxidation of LDL. On the other hand, studies indicate that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) found in olive oil, may not lower cholesterol levels but are more resistant than PUFAs to oxidation. Therefore, adding natural, non-toxic antioxidants to the diet along with PUFA-rich dietary oils may be a way of lowering cholesterol without increasing the oxidation of LDL.
This study investigated the effect of barley leaf essence on serum lipids and on the prevention of oxidation of serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in healthy male subjects between 18-24 years of age with normal body weight. Forty subjects were randomly divided into four groups of 10 individuals each. Each group received three meals per day of a standard diet composed of 15% protein, 45% carbohydrates, and 40% fat (32.7% from either olive oil or soybean oil.). Subjects were placed into one of 4 groups: olive oil only (O); soybean oil only (S); olive oil + barley leaf essence (OB); and soy oil + barley leaf essence (SB). Groups OB and SB received 5 grams of barley leaf essence powder mixed in cold water with each meal for 15g total per day). All subjects fasted overnight prior to blood samples taken at the beginning and the end of the four-week dietary period. Blood samples were measured for serum lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and oxidation of LDL).
SUMMARY: The results show that ingestion of a diet rich in PUFAs from soybean oil reduces serum total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C, but not LDL oxidation. Adding barley grass juice powder to the soybean diet enhances its cholesterol-lowering effect and lowers LDL oxidation. While MUFAs from olive oil had no effect on total serum cholesterol, LDL-C or HDL-C, they did lower the oxidation of LDL and this effect was enhanced by the addition of barley grass juice powder. Therefore, together with a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids, 15 g of barley grass juice powder per day as part of the diet may help support cardiovascular activity by reducing cholesterol levels and reducing the oxidation of LDL.
II. LDL cholesterol and oxidation are significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients receiving an olive oil enriched diet supplemented with barley grass juice.
Yu YM and Tsai CE. LDL cholesterol and oxidation are significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients receiving a barley leaf essence supplemented olive oil diet. Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry [published by The Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology] Vol. 5 (1): 1-6 (2003).In the research described previously, Dr. Tsai and colleagues found that unsaturated fatty acid enriched diets supplemented with barley grass significantly lowered both LDL cholesterol and oxidation of LDL in healthy subjects. Since cardiovascular function is compromised in diabetic patients, the researchers examined the effects of barley grass alone and in combination with an olive oil-enriched diet.
SUMMARY: An intake of olive oil together with a dietary supplement of young barley grass juice may be useful as part of the nutritional management of patients suffering type 2 diabetes since it increases the monounsaturated fatty acid composition of LDL, decreases whole blood free radical activities, increases the vitamin E content of LDL, and reduces the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation.
III. Barley grass juice powder, alone and in combination with vitamins C and E, fights free radical activity and protects against LDL oxidation in type II diabetic patients.
Yu YM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hsieh CL, and Tsai CE. Effects of barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Vol. 28 (2): 107-114 (2002).
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems than the general population. One reason is that high blood sugar, typically found in diabetic patients, increases the oxidation of LDL. Research has shown that vitamins C and E offer protection against oxidation of LDL and are more effective when they are taken in combination rather than alone. However, the small, dense LDL molecules (Sd-LDL), which are implicated to a greater degree than the larger, buoyant LDL molecules (B-LDL) in cardiovascular problems, are not protected as much as B-LDL by vitamins C and E. Therefore, Dr. Tsai and colleagues investigated the effects of supplementation with vitamins C and E in combination with barley grass juice powder on LDL oxidation in diabetic patients.
In the study, 36 randomly selected type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned to receive daily supplements of barley grass juice powder (BL), a combination of 200 mg each of vitamin C and E (CE) or a combination of barley grass juice powder and vitamins C and E (BL+CE) for four weeks. Past research has indicated that antioxidant vitamins C and E taken together can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that supplementation with barley grass reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL-vitamin E depletion, oxidation of LDL, and free radical activity in the blood. The authors noted that barley grass “acts as a free radical scavenger.” Particularly noteworthy are the data showing barley grass juice powder, taken with vitamins C and E, more effectively inhibits LDL oxidation than either barley grass or the vitamins taken alone.
SUMMARY: The results indicate that supplementation with barley grass juice may help to lower cholesterol, scavenge oxygen free radicals, save the LDL-vitamin E content, and inhibit LDL oxidation. Furthermore, there is a synergistic inhibition of small, dense-LDL oxidation with a combination of barley grass juice and vitamins C and E, an effect that may promote good vascular function in type 2 diabetic patients.
IV. Barley Grass Juice or Adlay Reduce Plasma Lipids and LDL Oxidation in Hyperlipidemic Smokers and Non-Smokers.
Yu YM, Chang WC, Liu CS and Tsai CM. Effects of young barley leaf extract and adlay on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in hyperlipidemic smokers. Biol. Pharm. Bull. Vol. 27 (6): 802-805 (2004).
The previous studies demonstrated that supplementation with 15 grams of barley grass juice daily lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, reduces the oxidation of LDL, and decreases free radical activity in the blood of both healthy and diabetic individuals. Since smoking and non-smoking individuals with elevated blood lipids are potentially at risk for cardiovascular problems, Dr. Tsai and colleagues decided to determine if the positive effects of barley grass juice supplementation found in healthy and diabetic subjects also apply to these individuals.
In addition to barley grass juice, this study also examined the effects of the grain adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi), a relative of oats. The study used forty hyperlipidemic patients; 20 were smokers and 20 were non-smokers. The subjects were divided into two groups: one group received 15 g young barley leaf extract (BL) or 60 g adlay (A) daily for four weeks. Overnight fasting blood samples were taken immediately before and after the four-week period and analyzed for plasma lipids and susceptibility to oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
SUMMARY:
Supplementation with either BL or adlay can decrease total and LDL cholesterol as well as susceptibility of LDL-C to oxidation in hyperlipidemic smokers and non-smokers. Barley leaf extract (barley grass juice) had a stronger antioxidative effect than adlay and the effects of either BL or adlay are less pronounced in smokers.
Note: The barley grass juice powder (referred to as “barley leaf essence”, “barley leaf extract”, or “barley leaf”) used in all four of the studies described was provided by YH Products, the manufacturing division of Green Foods Corporation, located in Oxnard, California.
Clinical Research Shows Barley Grass Supplements Can
Boost Cardiovascular Health
Bob Terry, PhD, Technical Service Director, Green Foods Corporation .OXNARD, CA, May 9, 2003 – People who regularly consume powdered organic barley grass juice supplements could be providing a boost to their cardiovascular system, according to research recently published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Diabetes and Metabolism (2002, Vol. 28, 107-114).
Ya-Mei Yu and Chingmin E. Tsai from Fu Jen University in Taipei together with fellow Taiwanese researchers from China Medical College in Taichung found in a clinical study that supplementation with barley grass reduced the levels of cholesterol and oxygen free radicals in the blood of type 2 diabetics.
In the study, 36 randomly selected type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned to receive daily supplements of barley grass, a combination of vitamin C and E or a combination of barley grass and vitamins C and E for four weeks. Past research has indicated that antioxidants vitamin C and E taken together can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that supplementation with barley grass reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and oxygen free radicals, in addition to protecting LDL-vitamin E content and inhibiting LDL oxidation. The authors noted that barley grass “acts as a free radical scavenger.” Particularly noteworthy are the data showing barley grass, taken with vitamins C and E, more effectively prevents the level of free radicals than either barley grass or the vitamins taken alone. They concluded that supplementation with barley grass “in combination with antioxidative vitamins can reduce some major risk factors of atherosclerosis. This may protect type 2 diabetic patients from vascular diseases.”
The results of ongoing clinical studies appear to support and extend the findings that barley grass supplementation may lower blood levels of cholesterol and free radicals.
“For individuals concerned about their cardiovascular health, this study indicates that they would be well advised to focus on a diet with lots of green foods, particularly organic barley grass.” said Dr. Richard M. Gold, Ph.D., L.Ac., author and Professor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
YH Products Co. of Oxnard, Calif. provided the barley grass supplements for this study. YH Products Co. manufactures Green Barley (distributed by Green Foods Corporation). Green Magma is made with powdered organic barley grass juice, containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins, active enzymes and chlorophyll.
Barley – The Natural Detoxifier
Bob Terry, PhD, Technical Service Director, Green Foods Corporation
Health conscious consumers today are looking for more than wholesome, nutritious food to maintain good health, they also want to protect themselves from the ever-increasing number of toxins in our environment. While periodic use of internal cleansing and detoxification programs help to eliminate the body’s toxic overload, the best solution is to gently detoxify our bodies every day through our diet. Therefore, optimal nutrition should include foods that not only supply us with all the nutrients necessary for cellular metabolism but foods that also help us detoxify daily.
Unfortunately, thousands of toxic chemicals pervade our environment and continuously pose a risk to our health. Furthermore, common food preservatives such as BHT and sorbic acid may cause adverse reactions in people sensitive to these chemicals. Although the ideal solution for pesticides and herbicides would be to eliminate their use, this prospect seems unlikely and, even if this were to occur, toxic residues would probably remain in the environment for many years afterwards as has occurred with DDT. Eliminating food additives from our diet is also problematic since their use is widespread and few commercially acceptable substitutes are available. The good news is that nature provides us with an abundance of fresh green plants that can help our bodies neutralize and eliminate toxic chemicals we ingest from our water, air, and food. Of course, we need to choose green plants that do not contain the very substances we want to eliminate.
Over the last 20 years, research done by Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara and colleagues in the United States and Japan has shown that young barley grass is an extremely potent detoxifier. Barley grass juice contains abundant chlorophyll, antioxidants, enzymes, and other phytochemicals that neutralize free radicals and other unfriendly chemicals, including pesticides and food preservatives.
In 1978, Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara revealed the detoxifying power of our barley grass extract, called Barley, in breaking down an insecticide (malathion), and two chemical food additives (sorbic acid and BHT)[1]. His research found that Barley effectively decomposed the insecticide, malathion, and the food preservatives, sorbic acid and BHT. Heating Barley causes it to lose its ability to breakdown either malathion or sorbic acid indicating that enzyme activity in Barley may be responsible for its actions. However, heat treatment does not affect Barley ability to destroy BHT leading Dr. Hagiwara to suggest that BHT is adsorbed onto proteins rather being metabolized by enzyme activity. The following year, Dr. Hagiwara and colleagues reported that barley grass juice contained numerous enzymes that may help neutralize toxins, including superoxide dismutase, cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, fatty acid oxidase, and transhydrogenase.
In the 1990′s, Dr. Shibamoto and Dr. Hagiwara isolated, identified, and studied the properties of a potent bioflavonoid antioxidant, named 2″-O-glycosylisovitexin or 2″-O-GIV, in young barley grass. They showed that 2″-O-GIV was particularly effective in preventing the free radical oxidation of fatty acids, fish oils, and lecithin caused by ultraviolet light and natural chemical reactions in blood. Amazingly, it is also very effective in preventing the formation of two toxic by-products, acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde, that result from the oxidation of alcohol in beer. These two toxins may be responsible for the adverse reactions alcohol can produce, including hangovers, impaired liver function, and damage to cellular DNA.
Other exciting research recently published by Dr. Shibamoto along with Dr. Hagiwara and colleagues, found that young barley grass extracts effectively degraded a variety of organophosphorus pesticides including malathion, chlorpyrifos, guthion, diazinon, methidathion, and parathion. Incubation of the individual pesticides with a 3% solution of barley grass juice for several hours resulted in the complete degradation of both malathion and chlorpyrifos along with a significant breakdown of parathion by 75%; diazinon by 54%; guthion by 41%; and methidathion by 23%. They also confirmed Dr. Hagiwara’s previous finding that barley grass juice’s ability to break down malathion is lost when barley grass is heated to 120 degree C, most likely due to destruction of enzyme activity by heat. Further research into the manner in which barley grass juice degrades pesticides and other toxins is under way.
While Dr. Shibamoto and colleagues continue their important research, it is now clear that Barley contains numerous beneficial substances that help us detoxify our bodies in a natural and effective manner. Because Barley contains certified organic young barley grass, it will not burden our bodies with additional toxins.
In summary, research is helping to better understand why Barley provides the many benefits that thousands of regular consumers of Barley already know about — better looking hair, skin and nails, increased energy levels, improved digestion, and fewer illnesses — clear indicators of good nutrition and a detoxified body. Green Barley : On the Medicinal Benefits
of Green Barley Grass Powder
Green Barley : On the Medicinal Benefits
of Green Barley Grass Powder From “Green Barley Grass”, by Betsy Block, NATURAL HEALTH Magazine - Oct 1999 pg. 44
This Nutrient-packed "Green Food" May Fight Several Types of Cancer, Clear Up Skin Problems, & Heal Ulcers.
WHAT IT IS – Green Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare) is the seedling of the barley plant. It is usually harvested about 200 days after germination, when the shoots are less than a foot tall.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE - A concentrated source of nearly three dozen vitamins and minerals, Green Barley grass is particularly rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, folic acid, and B12; calcium; iron; potassium; and chlorophyll. Unlike most plants, barley grass provides all nine essential amino acids (those which your body can't produce).
HEALING CLAIMS – Green Barley grass is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help the body kill cancer cells and overcome a variety of ailments, including acne and ulcers.
HOW IT WORKS - An antioxidant called alpha-tocopherol succinate - a potent relative of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) may be responsible for much of the plant's anti-tumor action, according to Allan L. Goldstein, Ph.D., head of the biochemistry department at George Washington University's School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., who has studied barley grass. Though its mechanism is unknown, alpha-tocopherol succinate seems to inhibit several types of cancer, including leukemia, brain tumors, and prostate cancer.
According to Yoshihide Hagiwara, M.D., a researcher in Japan and author of the book "Green Barley Essence" (Keats, 1985), barley grass helps cure skin diseases and ulcers by promoting the growth of new cells. It is not known exactly how this happens, although barley grass is high in chlorophyll, an antibacterial green pigment.
THE EVIDENCE - There have been no clinical trials of barley grass. In an experiment at George Washington University, Goldstein and his colleagues exposed leukemic cancer cells to dehydrated Green Barley grass extract. The extract killed virtually all of them. Encouraged, the researchers then subjected brain cancer cells to the extract. It eradicated 30 to 50 percent of these Cancer cells. In a third trial, the extract inhibited the growth of three types of prostate cancer cells by 90 to 100 percent.
In Japan, where Green Barley grass extract is popular, there is anecdotal evidence that it helps the body heal from many illnesses. In one informal study, a Japanese dermatologist observed a group of 7.5 patients with skin diseases ranging from melanosis (darkening of the skin) to eczema. The patients who took Green Barley grass extract healed faster than did those who did not. They also noticed improvements in appetite and bowel regularity.
HOW TO TAKE - Barley is best taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or two hours after a meal.
For disease prevention, Hagiwara advises taking 2 to 6 g of powder - dissolved in water or juice - two or three times a day. To treat skin or stomach ailments, you may need to take up to 12 g of powder two or three times a day. Expect improvements within three months.
CAVEATS - People with eczema or acne may notice some skin aggravation when they first take barley grass. Also, barley grass may initially cause nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. If any of these symptoms occur, you may want to cut back to 1/2 g twice a day, then slowly increase your dosage until your body adjusts.
Betsy Block is a freelance writer living in the Boston area.
NUTRIENT PROFILE
BY WEIGHT, dehydrated Green Barley grass has 11 times the Calcium of cow's milk, 5 times the Iron of spinach, and more protein than sirloin steak. About 2 teaspoons (6 g) of barley grass powder contains the following:
CALORIES 17, PROTEIN 1.4g, CALCIUM 30mg, IRON 3mg, POTASSIUM 170mg, VITAMIN A 3,120 IU
VITAMIN B1 15 mcg, VITAMIN B2 140 mcg, FOLIC ACID 52 mcg, VITAMIN B12 1.7 mcg, VITAMIN C 19 mg
CHLOROPHYLL 32.6 mg
*NUTRIENT VALUES VARY DEPENDING ON HARVESTING AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES.
By Taking Green Barley EVERYDAY IT WILL ASSURES YOU A GREAT BODY & GOD’S BLESSING FOR YOU & FOR YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS.
More information about green barley, CLICK HERE.
BARLEY Lower Cholesterol,
LDL Oxidation and Free Radical Actitvity in the Blood
In the last twenty-five years researchers have published a number of in vitro and in vivo laboratory studies demonstrating that Barley and its constituents exhibit potent antioxidant, detoxifying, and cholesterol-lowering properties. Until recently, the findings of these laboratory studies have been supported by only a few clinical trials. However, in the last three years, a series of clinical trials have been published that offer substantial support for the antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects of Barley in both healthy and health-compromised individuals.
Four clinical studies performed in the last 3 years by Dr. Ching-Min Tsai from the Graduate Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at Fu Jen University and the Department of Bioscience Technology at Chung Yuan University (both in Taipei, Taiwan) and colleagues have demonstrated that dietary changes including daily supplementation with Barley may provide several important benefits for cardiovascular function.
Healthy blood flow through our bodies is essential for optimal health and well-being and restrictions in cardiovascular function may result in both acute and chronic problems. While dietary, lifestyle, and genetic factors all play a role in cardiovascular function, dietary changes may offer a relatively convenient means of promoting cardiovascular function, healthy blood flow, and enhanced quality of life.
I. Lowering Cholesterol and Preventing LDL Oxidation with a Diet Rich in Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Barley Grass Juice Powder.
Liu WC, Tsai CE. Young Barley Leaf Prevents LDL Oxidation in Humans. Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry [published by The Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology] Vol. 4 (3): 110-116 (2002).
Research has shown that elevated cholesterol levels and oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood are two factors affecting cardiovascular function. The type of fat consumed in the diet can affect both the levels of cholesterol and LDL oxidation. For example, while consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) may increase cholesterol levels, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as found in soybean oil can have the opposite effect. However, PUFAs may also have the unwanted effect of increasing the oxidation of LDL. On the other hand, studies indicate that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) found in olive oil, may not lower cholesterol levels but are more resistant than PUFAs to oxidation. Therefore, adding natural, non-toxic antioxidants to the diet along with PUFA-rich dietary oils may be a way of lowering cholesterol without increasing the oxidation of LDL.
This study investigated the effect of barley leaf essence on serum lipids and on the prevention of oxidation of serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in healthy male subjects between 18-24 years of age with normal body weight. Forty subjects were randomly divided into four groups of 10 individuals each. Each group received three meals per day of a standard diet composed of 15% protein, 45% carbohydrates, and 40% fat (32.7% from either olive oil or soybean oil.). Subjects were placed into one of 4 groups: olive oil only (O); soybean oil only (S); olive oil + barley leaf essence (OB); and soy oil + barley leaf essence (SB). Groups OB and SB received 5 grams of barley leaf essence powder mixed in cold water with each meal for 15g total per day). All subjects fasted overnight prior to blood samples taken at the beginning and the end of the four-week dietary period. Blood samples were measured for serum lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and oxidation of LDL).
SUMMARY: The results show that ingestion of a diet rich in PUFAs from soybean oil reduces serum total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C, but not LDL oxidation. Adding barley grass juice powder to the soybean diet enhances its cholesterol-lowering effect and lowers LDL oxidation. While MUFAs from olive oil had no effect on total serum cholesterol, LDL-C or HDL-C, they did lower the oxidation of LDL and this effect was enhanced by the addition of barley grass juice powder. Therefore, together with a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids, 15 g of barley grass juice powder per day as part of the diet may help support cardiovascular activity by reducing cholesterol levels and reducing the oxidation of LDL.
II. LDL cholesterol and oxidation are significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients receiving an olive oil enriched diet supplemented with barley grass juice.
Yu YM and Tsai CE. LDL cholesterol and oxidation are significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients receiving a barley leaf essence supplemented olive oil diet. Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry [published by The Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology] Vol. 5 (1): 1-6 (2003).In the research described previously, Dr. Tsai and colleagues found that unsaturated fatty acid enriched diets supplemented with barley grass significantly lowered both LDL cholesterol and oxidation of LDL in healthy subjects. Since cardiovascular function is compromised in diabetic patients, the researchers examined the effects of barley grass alone and in combination with an olive oil-enriched diet.
SUMMARY: An intake of olive oil together with a dietary supplement of young barley grass juice may be useful as part of the nutritional management of patients suffering type 2 diabetes since it increases the monounsaturated fatty acid composition of LDL, decreases whole blood free radical activities, increases the vitamin E content of LDL, and reduces the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation.
III. Barley grass juice powder, alone and in combination with vitamins C and E, fights free radical activity and protects against LDL oxidation in type II diabetic patients.
Yu YM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hsieh CL, and Tsai CE. Effects of barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Vol. 28 (2): 107-114 (2002).
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems than the general population. One reason is that high blood sugar, typically found in diabetic patients, increases the oxidation of LDL. Research has shown that vitamins C and E offer protection against oxidation of LDL and are more effective when they are taken in combination rather than alone. However, the small, dense LDL molecules (Sd-LDL), which are implicated to a greater degree than the larger, buoyant LDL molecules (B-LDL) in cardiovascular problems, are not protected as much as B-LDL by vitamins C and E. Therefore, Dr. Tsai and colleagues investigated the effects of supplementation with vitamins C and E in combination with barley grass juice powder on LDL oxidation in diabetic patients.
In the study, 36 randomly selected type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned to receive daily supplements of barley grass juice powder (BL), a combination of 200 mg each of vitamin C and E (CE) or a combination of barley grass juice powder and vitamins C and E (BL+CE) for four weeks. Past research has indicated that antioxidant vitamins C and E taken together can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that supplementation with barley grass reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL-vitamin E depletion, oxidation of LDL, and free radical activity in the blood. The authors noted that barley grass “acts as a free radical scavenger.” Particularly noteworthy are the data showing barley grass juice powder, taken with vitamins C and E, more effectively inhibits LDL oxidation than either barley grass or the vitamins taken alone.
SUMMARY: The results indicate that supplementation with barley grass juice may help to lower cholesterol, scavenge oxygen free radicals, save the LDL-vitamin E content, and inhibit LDL oxidation. Furthermore, there is a synergistic inhibition of small, dense-LDL oxidation with a combination of barley grass juice and vitamins C and E, an effect that may promote good vascular function in type 2 diabetic patients.
IV. Barley Grass Juice or Adlay Reduce Plasma Lipids and LDL Oxidation in Hyperlipidemic Smokers and Non-Smokers.
Yu YM, Chang WC, Liu CS and Tsai CM. Effects of young barley leaf extract and adlay on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in hyperlipidemic smokers. Biol. Pharm. Bull. Vol. 27 (6): 802-805 (2004).
The previous studies demonstrated that supplementation with 15 grams of barley grass juice daily lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, reduces the oxidation of LDL, and decreases free radical activity in the blood of both healthy and diabetic individuals. Since smoking and non-smoking individuals with elevated blood lipids are potentially at risk for cardiovascular problems, Dr. Tsai and colleagues decided to determine if the positive effects of barley grass juice supplementation found in healthy and diabetic subjects also apply to these individuals.
In addition to barley grass juice, this study also examined the effects of the grain adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi), a relative of oats. The study used forty hyperlipidemic patients; 20 were smokers and 20 were non-smokers. The subjects were divided into two groups: one group received 15 g young barley leaf extract (BL) or 60 g adlay (A) daily for four weeks. Overnight fasting blood samples were taken immediately before and after the four-week period and analyzed for plasma lipids and susceptibility to oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
SUMMARY:
Supplementation with either BL or adlay can decrease total and LDL cholesterol as well as susceptibility of LDL-C to oxidation in hyperlipidemic smokers and non-smokers. Barley leaf extract (barley grass juice) had a stronger antioxidative effect than adlay and the effects of either BL or adlay are less pronounced in smokers.
Note: The barley grass juice powder (referred to as “barley leaf essence”, “barley leaf extract”, or “barley leaf”) used in all four of the studies described was provided by YH Products, the manufacturing division of Green Foods Corporation, located in Oxnard, California.
Clinical Research Shows Barley Grass Supplements Can
Boost Cardiovascular Health
Bob Terry, PhD, Technical Service Director, Green Foods Corporation .OXNARD, CA, May 9, 2003 – People who regularly consume powdered organic barley grass juice supplements could be providing a boost to their cardiovascular system, according to research recently published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Diabetes and Metabolism (2002, Vol. 28, 107-114).
Ya-Mei Yu and Chingmin E. Tsai from Fu Jen University in Taipei together with fellow Taiwanese researchers from China Medical College in Taichung found in a clinical study that supplementation with barley grass reduced the levels of cholesterol and oxygen free radicals in the blood of type 2 diabetics.
In the study, 36 randomly selected type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned to receive daily supplements of barley grass, a combination of vitamin C and E or a combination of barley grass and vitamins C and E for four weeks. Past research has indicated that antioxidants vitamin C and E taken together can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that supplementation with barley grass reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and oxygen free radicals, in addition to protecting LDL-vitamin E content and inhibiting LDL oxidation. The authors noted that barley grass “acts as a free radical scavenger.” Particularly noteworthy are the data showing barley grass, taken with vitamins C and E, more effectively prevents the level of free radicals than either barley grass or the vitamins taken alone. They concluded that supplementation with barley grass “in combination with antioxidative vitamins can reduce some major risk factors of atherosclerosis. This may protect type 2 diabetic patients from vascular diseases.”
The results of ongoing clinical studies appear to support and extend the findings that barley grass supplementation may lower blood levels of cholesterol and free radicals.
“For individuals concerned about their cardiovascular health, this study indicates that they would be well advised to focus on a diet with lots of green foods, particularly organic barley grass.” said Dr. Richard M. Gold, Ph.D., L.Ac., author and Professor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
YH Products Co. of Oxnard, Calif. provided the barley grass supplements for this study. YH Products Co. manufactures Green Barley (distributed by Green Foods Corporation). Green Magma is made with powdered organic barley grass juice, containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins, active enzymes and chlorophyll.
Barley – The Natural Detoxifier
Bob Terry, PhD, Technical Service Director, Green Foods Corporation
Health conscious consumers today are looking for more than wholesome, nutritious food to maintain good health, they also want to protect themselves from the ever-increasing number of toxins in our environment. While periodic use of internal cleansing and detoxification programs help to eliminate the body’s toxic overload, the best solution is to gently detoxify our bodies every day through our diet. Therefore, optimal nutrition should include foods that not only supply us with all the nutrients necessary for cellular metabolism but foods that also help us detoxify daily.
Unfortunately, thousands of toxic chemicals pervade our environment and continuously pose a risk to our health. Furthermore, common food preservatives such as BHT and sorbic acid may cause adverse reactions in people sensitive to these chemicals. Although the ideal solution for pesticides and herbicides would be to eliminate their use, this prospect seems unlikely and, even if this were to occur, toxic residues would probably remain in the environment for many years afterwards as has occurred with DDT. Eliminating food additives from our diet is also problematic since their use is widespread and few commercially acceptable substitutes are available. The good news is that nature provides us with an abundance of fresh green plants that can help our bodies neutralize and eliminate toxic chemicals we ingest from our water, air, and food. Of course, we need to choose green plants that do not contain the very substances we want to eliminate.
Over the last 20 years, research done by Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara and colleagues in the United States and Japan has shown that young barley grass is an extremely potent detoxifier. Barley grass juice contains abundant chlorophyll, antioxidants, enzymes, and other phytochemicals that neutralize free radicals and other unfriendly chemicals, including pesticides and food preservatives.
In 1978, Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara revealed the detoxifying power of our barley grass extract, called Barley, in breaking down an insecticide (malathion), and two chemical food additives (sorbic acid and BHT)[1]. His research found that Barley effectively decomposed the insecticide, malathion, and the food preservatives, sorbic acid and BHT. Heating Barley causes it to lose its ability to breakdown either malathion or sorbic acid indicating that enzyme activity in Barley may be responsible for its actions. However, heat treatment does not affect Barley ability to destroy BHT leading Dr. Hagiwara to suggest that BHT is adsorbed onto proteins rather being metabolized by enzyme activity. The following year, Dr. Hagiwara and colleagues reported that barley grass juice contained numerous enzymes that may help neutralize toxins, including superoxide dismutase, cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, fatty acid oxidase, and transhydrogenase.
In the 1990′s, Dr. Shibamoto and Dr. Hagiwara isolated, identified, and studied the properties of a potent bioflavonoid antioxidant, named 2″-O-glycosylisovitexin or 2″-O-GIV, in young barley grass. They showed that 2″-O-GIV was particularly effective in preventing the free radical oxidation of fatty acids, fish oils, and lecithin caused by ultraviolet light and natural chemical reactions in blood. Amazingly, it is also very effective in preventing the formation of two toxic by-products, acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde, that result from the oxidation of alcohol in beer. These two toxins may be responsible for the adverse reactions alcohol can produce, including hangovers, impaired liver function, and damage to cellular DNA.
Other exciting research recently published by Dr. Shibamoto along with Dr. Hagiwara and colleagues, found that young barley grass extracts effectively degraded a variety of organophosphorus pesticides including malathion, chlorpyrifos, guthion, diazinon, methidathion, and parathion. Incubation of the individual pesticides with a 3% solution of barley grass juice for several hours resulted in the complete degradation of both malathion and chlorpyrifos along with a significant breakdown of parathion by 75%; diazinon by 54%; guthion by 41%; and methidathion by 23%. They also confirmed Dr. Hagiwara’s previous finding that barley grass juice’s ability to break down malathion is lost when barley grass is heated to 120 degree C, most likely due to destruction of enzyme activity by heat. Further research into the manner in which barley grass juice degrades pesticides and other toxins is under way.
While Dr. Shibamoto and colleagues continue their important research, it is now clear that Barley contains numerous beneficial substances that help us detoxify our bodies in a natural and effective manner. Because Barley contains certified organic young barley grass, it will not burden our bodies with additional toxins.
In summary, research is helping to better understand why Barley provides the many benefits that thousands of regular consumers of Barley already know about — better looking hair, skin and nails, increased energy levels, improved digestion, and fewer illnesses — clear indicators of good nutrition and a detoxified body. Green Barley : On the Medicinal Benefits
of Green Barley Grass Powder
Green Barley : On the Medicinal Benefits
of Green Barley Grass Powder From “Green Barley Grass”, by Betsy Block, NATURAL HEALTH Magazine - Oct 1999 pg. 44
This Nutrient-packed "Green Food" May Fight Several Types of Cancer, Clear Up Skin Problems, & Heal Ulcers.
WHAT IT IS – Green Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare) is the seedling of the barley plant. It is usually harvested about 200 days after germination, when the shoots are less than a foot tall.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE - A concentrated source of nearly three dozen vitamins and minerals, Green Barley grass is particularly rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, folic acid, and B12; calcium; iron; potassium; and chlorophyll. Unlike most plants, barley grass provides all nine essential amino acids (those which your body can't produce).
HEALING CLAIMS – Green Barley grass is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help the body kill cancer cells and overcome a variety of ailments, including acne and ulcers.
HOW IT WORKS - An antioxidant called alpha-tocopherol succinate - a potent relative of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) may be responsible for much of the plant's anti-tumor action, according to Allan L. Goldstein, Ph.D., head of the biochemistry department at George Washington University's School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., who has studied barley grass. Though its mechanism is unknown, alpha-tocopherol succinate seems to inhibit several types of cancer, including leukemia, brain tumors, and prostate cancer.
According to Yoshihide Hagiwara, M.D., a researcher in Japan and author of the book "Green Barley Essence" (Keats, 1985), barley grass helps cure skin diseases and ulcers by promoting the growth of new cells. It is not known exactly how this happens, although barley grass is high in chlorophyll, an antibacterial green pigment.
THE EVIDENCE - There have been no clinical trials of barley grass. In an experiment at George Washington University, Goldstein and his colleagues exposed leukemic cancer cells to dehydrated Green Barley grass extract. The extract killed virtually all of them. Encouraged, the researchers then subjected brain cancer cells to the extract. It eradicated 30 to 50 percent of these Cancer cells. In a third trial, the extract inhibited the growth of three types of prostate cancer cells by 90 to 100 percent.
In Japan, where Green Barley grass extract is popular, there is anecdotal evidence that it helps the body heal from many illnesses. In one informal study, a Japanese dermatologist observed a group of 7.5 patients with skin diseases ranging from melanosis (darkening of the skin) to eczema. The patients who took Green Barley grass extract healed faster than did those who did not. They also noticed improvements in appetite and bowel regularity.
HOW TO TAKE - Barley is best taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or two hours after a meal.
For disease prevention, Hagiwara advises taking 2 to 6 g of powder - dissolved in water or juice - two or three times a day. To treat skin or stomach ailments, you may need to take up to 12 g of powder two or three times a day. Expect improvements within three months.
CAVEATS - People with eczema or acne may notice some skin aggravation when they first take barley grass. Also, barley grass may initially cause nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. If any of these symptoms occur, you may want to cut back to 1/2 g twice a day, then slowly increase your dosage until your body adjusts.
Betsy Block is a freelance writer living in the Boston area.
NUTRIENT PROFILE
BY WEIGHT, dehydrated Green Barley grass has 11 times the Calcium of cow's milk, 5 times the Iron of spinach, and more protein than sirloin steak. About 2 teaspoons (6 g) of barley grass powder contains the following:
CALORIES 17, PROTEIN 1.4g, CALCIUM 30mg, IRON 3mg, POTASSIUM 170mg, VITAMIN A 3,120 IU
VITAMIN B1 15 mcg, VITAMIN B2 140 mcg, FOLIC ACID 52 mcg, VITAMIN B12 1.7 mcg, VITAMIN C 19 mg
CHLOROPHYLL 32.6 mg
*NUTRIENT VALUES VARY DEPENDING ON HARVESTING AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES.
By Taking Green Barley EVERYDAY IT WILL ASSURES YOU A GREAT BODY & GOD’S BLESSING FOR YOU & FOR YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS.
More information about green barley, CLICK HERE.