NUTRITION TIPS
This Month’s Nutrition Tip – October 2009
Wheat Grass / Barley Grass
Carrying on from the nutrition tip last month on sea vegetables, this month we look at wheatgrass and barley grass. These cereal grasses are chlorophyll rich ‘super-foods’ providing an abundance of nutrients. For example, wheat grass contains approximately 90 minerals of the 102 found in rich soil. The therapeutic properties of wheat and barley grass are virtually identical. They are best harvested and used whilst they are young as they are richer in nutrients than their “adult” counterparts.
- BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL - The easily assimilated amino acids and trace minerals contained in cereal grasses help maintain blood glucose levels. These green foods may also help reduce cravings, thereby aiding weight loss and may reduce insulin requirements.
- ANTI-OXIDANT - Cereal grasses offer a powerful protective effect on cellular ageing and aid immune function. In addition to a wide variety of nutrients, also present is the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). This slows cellular deterioration and mutation, and is therefore useful in the treatment of degenerative disease and in the reversal of ageing.
- DETOXIFIER AND DIGESTIVE AID - Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in green foods, increases peristaltic action thus relieving constipation and may normalise the secretion of digestive acids. Cereal grasses also contain digestive enzymes. The chlorophyll-rich alkaline effects of cereal grasses and other green foods help overcome cases of hyperacidity and may control the growth of unwanted micro-organisms in the gut.
- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - Cereal grasses offer a potent combination of nutrients that may help overcome inflammation. Their alkalizing effect on the body helps with this.
- SUPERFOOD - cereal grasses are classic 'super-foods' containing an abundance of nutrients including a complete amino acid profile, carbohydrates (glycogen), vitamins, minerals (including trace elements), fibre, protective plant pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids.
- BLOOD TONIC - The high chlorophyll content of cereal grasses makes them a useful blood tonic/builder. Chlorophyll is almost identical to hemoglobin except for the central core being magnesium, rather than iron in hemoglobin.
Potential Uses
These cereal grasses would make a fantastic addition to anyone’s diet, for general health and well being. However if you suffer from any of the following conditions, the juice of these grasses may be beneficial:
Inflammation, arthritis, weight control, body odour and bad breath, hyper/hypoglycemic conditions, anemia, liver detoxification, ulcers, pancreatitis, allergies, heavy metal poisoning, maintenance of hair/skin/nails, cellular health and maintenance.
How To Use
Wheatgrass and barley grass are both best juiced from freshly cut grass. You can either grow your own (very easy to do) or buy it freshly grown but not cut. You need a wheatgrass juicer (either electric or handheld) which is specially designed to extract the juice from the grass but without destroying its valuable nutrients. It is important to drink the juice as soon as you have juiced the grass, as it starts to denature and lose nutrients within about 30 minutes. Less potent, but still useful, are supplements of the grasses which come in powder form, or tablet form.
More details on request
“Lindsey gave me a thorough dietary assessment which involved me writing a diary of my diet for one week. As painful as I found this process - I was a bad eater, often skipping meals and gorging on sugar! - It was worth doing this because the plan and the support I received from Lindsey, helped me break through my emotional comfort zone to experience a greater well being. Lindsey, recommended good, simple food that made me feel and look better. I have found that eating regularly enough to keep my sugar levels from dropping and choosing from food that isn't high in sugar content does keep me on an even keel.” Rita, London