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Wheatgrass is an amazingly nutrient dense food. Dr. Earp-Thomas once said that, "15 pounds of wheatgrass is the equivalent of 350 pounds of carrots, lettuce, celery and so forth." Wheatgrass contains no less than thirteen vitamins and all 20 essential amino acids. It also contains chlorophyll which has some proven health and anti-cancer properties.

A prominent researcher on wheatgrass, Dr. Thelma Arthur has done research showing that the consumption of wheatgrass juice can help in detoxifying the blood and strengthening the immune system. Chlorophyll plays a key role in detoxifying the liver which is where the blood is purified.

Wheatgrass is mostly chlorophyll - about 70%. Chlorophyll has a very similar molecular structure to hemoglobin, the molecule which carries the oxygen in the human blood stream. Chlorophyll has been shown to help boost hemoglobin production and thus help the body carry more oxygen in the blood. Chlorophyll also has been shown to provide some protection from carcinogens by strengthening the cells. "In a study reported in the Journal Mutation Research comparing the anticancer effect of chlorophyll to beta-carotene, and vitamins A, C and E, chlorophyll was proven to be a more effective antimutagen than any of them." Chlorophyll also has anti-bacterial properties and can help decrease the growth and development of unhealthy bacteria in the body.

Benjamin Gruskin, M.D., in 1940 was published in The American Journal of Surgery recommending that chlorophyll be used for its antiseptic benefits. Dr. Gruskin's article suggested numerous clinical uses for chlorophyll including: "to clear up foul-smelling odors, neutralize strep infections, heal wounds, hasten skin grafting, cure chronic sinusitis, overcome chronic inner ear inflammation and infections, reduce varicose veins and heal leg ulcers, eliminate impetigo and other scabby eruptions, heal rectal sores, successfully treat inflammation of the uterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infections, reduce typhoid fever and cure advanced pyorrhea in many cases."

A recent study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that supplementing with the natural antioxidants found in wheatgrass "holds great promise in overcoming the ill effects of oxygen toxicity," and that it decreases oxidative stress. In addition both wheatgrass and chlorophyll ointment have successfully been used to treat skin disorders such as skin ulcers, impetigo, and eczema.

Wheatgrass is considered a "super food" by some and has a large number of beneficial aspects. The health benefits of wheatgrass and chlorophyll appear to be tremendous with scientific study and research continually finding more benefits.

Sources:

Wheatgrass treatment for Cancer

Juice it Up -Wheatgrass

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.