Health Benefits
Barley grass has some eye-opening health benefits. Its unique strength is in its antioxidant activity. There is research, which shows that barley leaf extract decreases the level of oxygen-free radicals in patients with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high Cholesterol). Barley grass plays a key role in keeping inflammation at bay. Barley grass extracts protect cells against carcinogens. The mechanism may be two fold. One is the plants chlorophyll content and the second is the antioxidant superoxide dismutase, found in high concentration in green barley leaves. Enzymes
This is the secret ingredient, which makes barley grass a systematic helper. Superoxide Dismutase called SOD for short is a naturally occurring enzyme which protects against free radicals. SOD is an enzyme known to rejuvenate and repair cells, while at the same time reducing free radical damage. Superoxide Dismutase is found in our skin building cells known as fibroblasts. The natural sources of SOD are Brussels sprouts, wheat grass, barley grass and broccoli. SOD is an enzyme used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, burns, prostate health, arthritis, corneal ulcer, and reversing the effects of radiation, and smoke exposure. Superoxide Dismutase carries nitric oxide into hair follicles, which is important for keeping follicles healthy. SOD helps prevent facial lines and has a potential as an anti-aging treatment. It also helps your body make use of zinc, copper, and manganese. Cholesterol
Barley grass cholesterol lowering effects are attributed to the beta-sitosterol components, which seem to have the ability to inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, and at the same time accelerate its catabolism to bile acid. Catabolism is the sequence which breaks down large molecules or degrades them. This is a way to move cholesterol out of the system. The major pathway, which accounts for about 90% of cholesterol breakdown, is the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids by enzymes in the liver. Since Cholesterol doesn’t degrade easily, this is a very important role for beta-sitosterol. Anti-Inflammatory
A biologist by the name of Yasuo Hotta from the University of California, La Jolla, found the substance P4D1 in barley grass. This structure was found to have strong anti-inflammatory action, but was also shown to repair DNA in cells. What this does is prevents carcinogenesis, aging, and keeps cells in good repair. He reported his findings to the Japan Pharmacy Science Association. The report included the following|: P4D1 suppresses or cures pancreatitis, stomatitis, and inflammation of the oral cavity, dermatitis and lacerations of the duodenum. Also he found barley juice to be much stronger than steroid drugs, and had few if any side effects. Dr. Howard Lutz, director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Washington, D.C had this to say about barley grass: “(Barley grass is) one of the most incredible products of this decade. It improves stamina, sexual energy, clarity of thought, and reduces addiction to things that are bad for you. Barley grass juice also improves the texture of the skin, and heals the dryness associated with aging.”
The Resource Research Center, office of Science and Technology, along with the Food Analysis Center of Japan analyzed barley grass. What they found is that it has more calcium, carotene and iron than spinach, more calcium and Bl than milk, more vitamin C than oranges and more B1 than whole wheat flour. Barley grass juice seems to have a virtual monopoly in its ability to prevent and restore health.
