Wheat Germ Powder [Discontinued] by Swanson Premium Brand

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Constipation. Oral wheat bran seems to be beneficial for restoring normal bowel function in people with mild constipation. Details: Taking wheat bran orally seems to be effective for treating mild constipation and restoring normal bowel function in adults and children. Wheat bran seems to increase stool output and improve colonic transit, but does not soften normal-viscosity stool. In adults, doses of 20-25 grams daily are used. In children, an age-based dose of 5-10 grams daily for those under 1 year of age, 10-20 grams daily for 1-2 years of age, and 20 grams daily for those over 2 years of age has been used (6265,11004,11116,11117,94068).
• Hemorrhoids. Oral wheat bran may reduce the risk for hemorrhoids in some people. Details: Clinical research in adults with hemorrhoids shows that taking wheat bran 10 grams twice daily reduces the risk of hemorrhoid recurrence at 10 weeks when compared with a control group (11118,11119).
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Oral wheat bran seems to improve bowel function in some people with IBS. Details: Clinical research in adults with mild to moderate IBS shows that taking wheat bran 30 grams daily for 4 weeks may reduce abdominal pain and improve bowel function when compared to baseline. However, it does not appear to be as effective as taking partially hydrolyzed guar gum 5 grams daily (10326).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Colorectal cancer. Most research shows that oral wheat bran does not reduce the risk for colorectal cancer. Details: Several large well-designed studies show that consuming fiber, including wheat bran, does not prevent the recurrence of colorectal adenomas, despite earlier evidence that suggested a beneficial effect (160,4819,4820,4821).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Cancer. Although there is interest in using oral wheat bran to prevent various types of cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheat bran for this purpose.
• Diabetes. It is unclear whether consuming wheat bran can improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. Details: Small crossover studies in adults with type 2 diabetes have yielded conflicting outcomes. One small study shows that consuming 25 grams of fiber, including wheat bran, daily as part of the diet for 6 weeks can improve glycemic control and reduce insulin and plasma lipid levels when compared with a high-fiber diet providing 50 grams of fiber daily. However, another small crossover study shows that consuming bread or cereal providing wheat bran 18 grams daily for 3 months does not improve glycemic control or lipid levels when compared with a low-fiber diet providing 4 grams of fiber daily (6266,10328). The reasons for these discrepant findings are unclear, but may relate to the type of fiber added to the diet.
• Hyperlipidemia. Although there is interest in using oral wheat bran for hyperlipidemia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheat bran for this purpose.
• Hypertension. Although there is interest in using oral wheat bran for hypertension, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheat bran for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of wheat bran for this use.

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INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for BPH, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Beta-thalassemia. It is unclear if oral wheatgrass is beneficial in patients with beta-thalassemia. Details: A small clinical study in children with beta-thalassemia major shows that taking wheatgrass tablets orally in doses of 1-1.5 grams daily for children aged 1-3 years, 3 grams daily for children 4-8 years, and 4 grams daily for children aged 9 years and older for 12 months decreases the mean blood transfused as packed cells by about 18%, increases mean hemoglobin by about 7%, and increases the mean interval between consecutive blood transfusions by about 5 days when compared to baseline (93021). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of a comparator group and high patient dropout rate. However, another small clinical study shows that taking wheatgrass tablets 100 mg/kg orally daily for 6 months followed by 200 mg/kg daily for an additional 6 months does not reduce the transfusion requirement when compared to baseline in children or adults with beta-thalassemia major (93020). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of a comparator group. Another small, low-quality study shows that drinking wheatgrass juice 100 mL daily for 18 months reduces blood transfusion requirements in children with beta-thalassemia major when compared to baseline (85601). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of a comparator group and high patient dropout rate.
• Bronchitis. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for bronchitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Cancer. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Common cold. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for common cold, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Cough. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for cough, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Diabetes. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for diabetes, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Gout. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for gout, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Hypercholesterolemia. It is unclear if oral wheatgrass is beneficial in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking freeze-dried wheatgrass powder 3.5 grams orally daily for 10 weeks reduces total cholesterol by 5% and triglycerides by 10% when compared to baseline in females aged 30-60 years with elevated cholesterol levels. However, taking wheatgrass powder does not reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or fasting blood glucose levels in these patients (95906).
• Hypertension. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for hypertension, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for nephrolithiasis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Plantar heel pain. It is unclear if topical wheatgrass is beneficial in patients with plantar heel pain. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with chronic plantar fasciitis shows that applying a wheatgrass 10% cream topically to the bottom of the feet twice daily for 6 weeks is no more effective than placebo for reducing pain or improving measures of injury resolution (85602).
• Pharyngitis. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for pharyngitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Prostatitis. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for prostatitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Ulcerative colitis. It is unclear if oral wheatgrass is beneficial in patients with ulcerative colitis. Details: A small clinical study in adults with active distal ulcerative colitis shows that drinking 100 mL of freshly extracted wheatgrass juice daily for 1 month modestly reduces overall disease activity and the severity of rectal bleeding when compared with placebo (11165).
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for UTIs, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose.
• Wound healing. Although there has been interest in using oral wheatgrass for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of wheatgrass for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of wheatgrass for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Wheat bran in doses up to 30 grams daily has been used for 3 months with no reports of serious adverse effects (10326,10328).

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately. Wheat bran in doses up to 10 grams daily has been used safely for up to 2 years (94068).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally (5).

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LIKELY SAFE ...when consumed in amounts commonly found in foods (5286).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when wheatgrass juice is taken orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts. Wheatgrass juice 60-100 mL daily has been used safely for up to 18 months (11165,85601,104878,104879). ...when wheatgrass cream is used topically. Wheatgrass 10% cream has been used safely for up to 6 weeks (85602). There is insufficient reliable information available about the long-term safety of wheatgrass when used medicinally.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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ANTIDIABETES DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking wheatgrass with antidiabetes drugs might lower blood glucose levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.  Details Animal research shows that taking wheatgrass stimulates the release of insulin from beta-cells and lowers blood glucose (93018,93019).

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, wheatgrass might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.  Details In vitro research shows that wheatgrass induces CYP1A2 enzymes (111404).

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General ...Orally, wheat bran seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Flatulence and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
All routes of administration: Wheat products can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, wheat bran may cause flatulence and gastrointestinal discomfort, especially with initial use. One carefully controlled study designed to look at side effects noted no increase in GI symptoms in subjects taking 20 to 40 grams of wheat bran per day (6265).

Immunologic ...Wheat can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Due to the prevalence of this allergy in the general population, wheat and wheat products, such as wheat bran, are classified as major food allergens in the United States (105410).

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General ...Orally, wheatgrass is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Allergic reactions, anorexia, constipation, nausea.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, wheatgrass may cause nausea, anorexia, and constipation (11165).

Immunologic ...Wheat can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Due to the prevalence of this allergy in the general population, wheat and wheat products, such as wheatgrass, are classified as major food allergens in the United States (105410).

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