Wheat Grass for Anemia

If you’re anemic, your body does not produce enough red blood cells to adequately supply oxygen to your organs and tissues, which can leave you feeling worn out. Anemia can be the result of an iron deficiency, or it can be the result of a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate. Wheat grass packs a nutritional punch that may be beneficial for increasing the levels of some vitamins and minerals associated with anemia. Talk to your doctor about adding wheat grass to your diet, particularly if you’re already taking medications to treat anemia.

Wheat Grass

Wheat grass comes from the tender young stalks of the wheat plant that produce wheat kernels if allowed to mature. Growers cut the bright green blades of wheat grass when they reach a height of about 8 inches and process the grass through a juicer. Wheat grass juice is deep green in color and contains chlorophyll, vitamin C, riboflavin, folic acid, choline, biotin, thiamine, beta-carotene and other essential nutrients, according to the “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.”

Effect on Anemia

While clinical studies confirming the benefits of wheat grass for treating anemia are lacking, theoretically, the presence of folic acid, or folate, and vitamin C, in wheat grass juice can be helpful for treating anemia caused by a nutrient deficiency. Mayo Clinic internist Dr. Brent A. Bauer, M.D. reminds consumers that “wheatgrass isn’t a miracle cure,” however, so use it only as a supplement to your doctor’s recommended plan for treating your anemia.

Administration

Purchase wheat grass in liquid juice form or in freeze-dried capsules from health food stores. You may also grow your own wheat grass in sterile growing medium and process the fresh stalks through a grass juicer for higher nutritional content. If you’re drinking fresh wheat grass juice, try adding 1 ounce to vegetable juice or a smoothie. If you find the grassy taste objectionable, reduce the amount of wheat grass juice until you become accustomed to the flavor. To take wheat grass in capsule form, follow the dosage instructions on the package.

Considerations

The “Gale Encyclopedia” reports that the exact amount of nutrients in wheat grass depends upon seed quality and growing conditions. Taking wheat grass in the suggested amounts is likely safe for most people, but Dr. Bauer tells patients that it can cause some side effects, including headache, nausea and throat swelling. Fresh wheat grass may also contain contaminants. Don’t consume wheat grass products if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have an allergy to wheat or any type of grass.