Benefits of Wheatgrass in Pancreatitis

The pancreas is an organ in the stomach that produces glucagons and insulin. Both these are hormones that control the uses of sugar by the body. This sugar comes from the food we eat.

The pancreas also produces enzymes and other hormones, vital to break down foods.

Pancreatitis is caused when the pancreas gets inflamed.

Digestive enzymes are usually meant to remain in one segment of the pancreas.

Due to various reasons, these enzymes could leak out and cause irritation, pain or swelling of the pancreas. When left undetected, this could damage and scar the pancreas permanently.

Pancreatitis is caused usually due to alcohol abuse, gall stones and sometimes due to reaction to certain medications, infection or injury.

Symptoms of pancreatitis vary with the main symptom being severe pain in the upper abdominal region that can spread to the back. Pancreatitis can also cause fever, nausea, vomiting and sweating.

Wheatgrass

Young wheat plants give us wheatgrass.

The part above the soil is usually harvested before it matures. Wheatgrass has several anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that can treat several illnesses.

This is because it is rich in vitamins A, K, B, E, C, B6, and B12, calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium, chlorophyll and amino acids. It also has anti-carcinogenic properties.

Many proponents of wheatgrass say that it can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions like ulcers, musculoskeletal problems, chronic fatigue, ulcers, cold, fever, constipation, ulcerative colitis and so on.

Wheatgrass for Pancreatitis

It has been suggested that wheatgrass can treat symptoms of pancreatitis since it contains anti-inflammatory properties.

According to the American Cancer Society, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

However, since it has been found that wheatgrass can alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis – according to the “Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology” - it could prevent the risk of contracting pancreatitis.

One cause of pancreatitis is high triglyceride levels.

When wheatgrass is consumed to treat ulcerative colitis, it reduces the triglyceride levels by almost 38% in laboratory rats.

This is because wheatgrass contains apigenin, an anti-inflammatory agent and flavonoids.

Since high triglyceride level is one cause of pancreatitis, consuming wheatgrass can reduce the risk of contracting this disease.

Wheatgrass also improved abdominal pain, another symptom of pancreatitis.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal of cancers. This is because identifying this disease is very difficult and often detection occurs too late, when it has spread too much.

While frequent cancer screening can catch this illness early, several home remedies can also reduce the risk of contracting pancreatic cancer.

One of these is wheatgrass that has proved beneficial in treating different cancers. It can reduce development of cancer cells by fighting free radicals. This is because it contains anti-oxidants and can act as a detoxifying agent, improving our immune system and clearing it of harmful toxins.

Precautions

Wheatgrass can cause nausea and vomiting. Since it is grown for a week or 10 days before harvesting, it can cause microbial and bacterial contamination.

This could produce harmful side effects when consumed.

Since wheatgrass is often consumed without pasteurization, this could adversely affect our bodies.

Mold is another possible contaminant when consuming raw wheatgrass. Mold can cause allergic reactions.

To avoid both mold and bacteria, you must rinse the plant well and do not store it for long periods before consumption.

Those who suffer from gluten intolerance or grass allergies must exercise precaution when eating wheatgrass.

If you do develop symptoms of allergy like hives, constriction or swelling of the throat and difficulty in swallowing, discontinue usage and consult a doctor.