Clinical Barley Research

Clinical Research Shows Barley Grass Supplements Can Boost Cardiovascular Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
OXNARD, CA, May 9, 2003 - People who regularly consume powdered organic barley grass juice supplements could be providing a boost to their cardiovascular system, according to research recently published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Diabetes and Metabolism (2002, Vol. 28, 107-114).

Ya-Mei Yu and Chingmin E. Tsai from Fu Jen University in Taipei, along with fellow Taiwanese researchers from China Medical College in Taichung, found in a clinical study that supplementation with barleygrass reduced the levels of cholesterol and oxygen free-radicals in the blood of type 2 diabetics.

In the study, 36 randomly selected type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned to receive daily supplements of barley grass, a combination of vitamin C and E or a combination of barley grass and vitamins C and E for four weeks. Past research has indicated that antioxidants, vitamin C and E taken together can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers found that supplementation with barleygrass reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and oxygen free radicals, in addition to protecting LDL-vitamin E content and inhibiting LDL oxidation. The authors noted that barley grass "acts as a free radical scavenger." Particularly noteworthy are the data showing barley grass, taken with vitamins C and E, more effectively preventing the level of free radicals than either barley grass or the vitamins taken alone. They concluded that supplementation with barley grass "in combination with antioxidative vitamins can reduce some major risk factors of atherosclerosis. This may protect type 2 diabetic patients from vascular diseases."

The results of ongoing clinical studies appear to support and extend the findings that barley grass supplementation may lower blood levels of cholesterol and free radicals.

"For individuals concerned about their cardiovascular health, this study indicates that they would be well advised to focus on a diet with lots of green foods, particularly, organic barley grass." said Dr. Richard M. Gold, Ph.D., L.Ac., author and Professor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

YH Products Co. of Oxnard, Calif. provided the barley grass supplements for this study. YH Products Co. manufactures Green Magma (distributed by Green Foods Corporation). Green Magma is made with powdered organic barley grass juice, containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins, active enzymes and chlorophyll.