In the last twenty-five years researchers have published
a number of in vitro and in vivo laboratory studies demonstrating that
Green Magma and its constituents exhibit potent antioxidant, detoxifying,
and cholesterol-lowering properties. Until recently, the findings of
these laboratory studies have been supported by only a few clinical
trials. However, in the last three years, a series of clinical trials
have been published that offer substantial support for the antioxidant
and cholesterol-lowering effects of Green Magma in both healthy and
health-compromised individuals.
Four clinical studies performed in the last 3 years by Dr. Ching-Min
Tsai from the Graduate Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at Fu
Jen University and the Department of Bioscience Technology at Chung
Yuan University (both in Taipei, Taiwan) and colleagues have demonstrated
that dietary changes including daily supplementation with Green Magma
may provide several important benefits for cardiovascular function.
Healthy blood flow through our bodies is essential for optimal health
and well-being and restrictions in cardiovascular function may result
in both acute and chronic problems. While dietary, lifestyle, and genetic
factors all play a role in cardiovascular function, dietary changes
may offer a relatively convenient means of promoting cardiovascular
function, healthy blood flow, and enhanced quality of life.
I. Lowering Cholesterol and Preventing LDL Oxidation
with a Diet Rich in Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Barley Grass Juice Powder.
Liu WC, Tsai CE. Young Barley Leaf Prevents LDL Oxidation
in Humans. Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry
[published by The Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology]
Vol. 4 (3): 110-116 (2002).
Research has shown that elevated cholesterol levels and oxidation of
low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood are two factors affecting
cardiovascular function. The type of fat consumed in the diet can affect
both the levels of cholesterol and LDL oxidation. For example, while
consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) may increase
cholesterol levels, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as found in
soybean oil can have the opposite effect. However, PUFAs may also have
the unwanted effect of increasing the oxidation of LDL. On the other
hand, studies indicate that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) found
in olive oil, may not lower cholesterol levels but are more resistant
than PUFAs to oxidation. Therefore, adding natural, non-toxic antioxidants
to the diet along with PUFA-rich dietary oils may be a way of lowering
cholesterol without increasing the oxidation of LDL.
This study investigated the effect of barley leaf essence
on serum lipids and on the prevention of oxidation of serum low-density
lipoproteins (LDL) in healthy male subjects between 18-24 years of age
with normal body weight. Forty subjects were randomly divided into four
groups of 10 individuals each. Each group received three meals per day
of a standard diet composed of 15% protein, 45% carbohydrates, and 40%
fat (32.7% from either olive oil or soybean oil.). Subjects were placed
into one of 4 groups: olive oil only (O); soybean oil only (S); olive
oil + barley leaf essence (OB); and soy oil + barley leaf essence (SB).
Groups OB and SB received 5 grams of barley leaf essence powder mixed
in cold water with each meal for 15g total per day). All subjects fasted
overnight prior to blood samples taken at the beginning and the end
of the four-week dietary period. Blood samples were measured for serum
lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol,
and oxidation of LDL).
Results
- None of the four groups showed significant changes
in serum triglycerides.
- Serum total cholesterol was significantly reduced
in the two groups consuming barley leaf essence (OB and SB) but not
in the groups consuming soy oil or olive oil only (S and O) [Figure
1].
- Serum LDL-C levels were significantly reduced in both
soy oil diets (S and SB) and in the olive oil + barley leaf essence
group (OB) but not in the olive oil only group (O) [Figure
2].
- Serum HDL-C was significantly reduced in both the
soy oil groups (S and SB) but not in either of the olive oil groups
(O and OB).
- LDL oxidation (inversely proportional to lag time)
was significantly decreased in groups O, OB, and SB but not in the
S group [Figure
3].
SUMMARY: The results show that ingestion
of a diet rich in PUFAs from soybean oil reduces serum total cholesterol,
LDL-C and HDL-C, but not LDL oxidation. Adding barley grass juice powder
to the soybean diet enhances its cholesterol-lowering effect and lowers
LDL oxidation. While MUFAs from olive oil had no effect on total serum
cholesterol, LDL-C or HDL-C, they did lower the oxidation of LDL and
this effect was enhanced by the addition of barley grass juice powder.
Therefore, together with a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids, 15
g of barley grass juice powder per day as part of the diet may help
support cardiovascular activity by reducing cholesterol levels and reducing
the oxidation of LDL.
II.
LDL cholesterol and oxidation are significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic
patients receiving an olive oil enriched diet supplemented with barley
grass juice.
Yu YM and Tsai CE. LDL cholesterol and oxidation are significantly reduced
in type 2 diabetic patients receiving a barley leaf essence supplemented
olive oil diet. Food Science and Agricultural
Chemistry [published by The Chinese Institute of Food Science
and Technology] Vol. 5 (1): 1-6 (2003).
In the research described previously, Dr. Tsai and colleagues
found that unsaturated fatty acid enriched diets supplemented with barley
grass significantly lowered both LDL cholesterol and oxidation of LDL
in healthy subjects. Since cardiovascular function is compromised in
diabetic patients, the researchers examined the effects of barley grass
alone and in combination with an olive oil-enriched diet.
The researchers investigated whether supplementation of
type 2 diabetic patients with an olive oil-enriched diet and barley
grass juice affected the susceptibility of different low-density lipoproteins
(LDL) subfractions to oxidation and free radical activity. Thirty type
2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to three groups: a control
group received a placebo only; a second group (BL) received 15 g per
day of barley grass juice powder; and a third group (BL+O) received
15 g of barley grass juice powder plus an olive oil-enriched diet. The
study lasted for 4 weeks.
Results
- Compared to the control group, barley grass juice (BL)
alone and in combination with the olive oil-enriched diet (BL+O) significantly
decreased both total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol [Figure
9].
- The BL and BL+O treatments each significantly increased
the vitamin E content of both fractions of LDL (B-LDL and Sd-LDL)
compared to controls, with BL+O showing the greatest effect [Figure
10].
- Oxidation (inversely related to lag time) of both LDL
subfractions was significantly decreased compared to controls, with
the BL+O treatment having the greatest effect [Figure
11].
- As measured by chemiluminescence, BL and BL+O treatments
each significantly reduced free radical activity in the blood. Additionally,
the BL+O treatment significantly increased the monounsaturated fatty
acid composition of LDL.
SUMMARY: An intake of olive oil together with a dietary supplement
of young barley grass juice may be useful as part of the nutritional
management of patients suffering type 2 diabetes since it increases
the monounsaturated fatty acid composition of LDL, decreases whole blood
free radical activities, increases the vitamin E content of LDL, and
reduces the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation.
III. Barley grass juice powder, alone and in
combination with vitamins C and E, fights free radical activity and
protects against LDL oxidation in type II diabetic patients.
Yu YM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hsieh CL, and Tsai CE.
Effects of barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation
and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes
Metab Vol. 28 (2): 107-114 (2002).
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems
than the general population. One reason is that high blood sugar, typically
found in diabetic patients, increases the oxidation of LDL. Research
has shown that vitamins C and E offer protection against oxidation of
LDL and are more effective when they are taken in combination rather
than alone. However, the small, dense LDL molecules (Sd-LDL), which
are implicated to a greater degree than the larger, buoyant LDL molecules
(B-LDL) in cardiovascular problems, are not protected as much as B-LDL
by vitamins C and E. Therefore, Dr. Tsai and colleagues investigated
the effects of supplementation with vitamins C and E in combination
with barley grass juice powder on LDL oxidation in diabetic patients.
In the study, 36 randomly selected type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned
to receive daily supplements of barley grass juice powder (BL), a combination
of 200 mg each of vitamin C and E (CE) or a combination of barley grass
juice powder and vitamins C and E (BL+CE) for four weeks. Past research
has indicated that antioxidant vitamins C and E taken together can significantly
reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Results
- Each of the three groups showed a significant decrease
in total blood cholesterol [Figure
4].
- In each of the three treatment groups, vitamin E content
of both B-LDL and Sd-LDL was increased with the BL+CE group showing
the greatest increase [Figures 5
and 6].
- Significant inhibition in both sub-fractions of LDL
oxidation (inversely related to lag time) occurred in all three groups
with the combined treatment group (BL+CE) showing a synergistic inhibition
of oxidation in both B-LDL and Sd-LDL [Figures 7
and 8)].
- Free radical activity as measured by lucigenin-CL
and luminol-CL (chemiluminescence) was significantly reduced to a
similar degree in all 3 groups. This procedure most likely is a measure
of both superoxide radicals and oxygen free-radicals from peripheral
blood leukocytes.
The researchers found that supplementation with barley grass reduced
the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL-vitamin E depletion,
oxidation of LDL, and free radical activity in the blood. The authors
noted that barley grass "acts as a free radical scavenger."
Particularly noteworthy are the data showing barley grass juice powder,
taken with vitamins C and E, more effectively inhibits LDL oxidation
than either barley grass or the vitamins taken alone.
SUMMARY: The
results indicate that supplementation with barley grass juice may help
to lower cholesterol, scavenge oxygen free radicals, save the LDL-vitamin
E content, and inhibit LDL oxidation. Furthermore, there is a synergistic
inhibition of small, dense-LDL oxidation with a combination of barley
grass juice and vitamins C and E, an effect that may promote
good vascular function in type 2 diabetic
patients.
IV. Barley Grass Juice or Adlay Reduce Plasma Lipids
and LDL Oxidation in Hyperlipidemic Smokers and Non-Smokers.
Yu YM, Chang WC, Liu CS and Tsai CM. Effects of young
barley leaf extract and adlay on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in
hyperlipidemic smokers. Biol. Pharm. Bull.
Vol. 27 (6): 802-805 (2004).
The previous studies demonstrated that supplementation
with 15 grams of barley grass juice daily lowers total cholesterol,
LDL cholesterol, reduces the oxidation of LDL, and decreases free radical
activity in the blood of both healthy and diabetic individuals. Since
smoking and non-smoking individuals with elevated blood lipids are potentially
at risk for cardiovascular problems, Dr. Tsai and colleagues decided
to determine if the positive effects of barley grass juice supplementation
found in healthy and diabetic subjects also apply to these individuals.
In addition to barley grass juice, this study also examined
the effects of the grain adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi),
a relative of oats. The study used forty hyperlipidemic patients; 20
were smokers and 20 were non-smokers. The subjects were divided into
two groups: one group received 15 g young barley leaf extract (BL) or
60 g adlay (A) daily for four weeks. Overnight fasting blood samples
were taken immediately before and after the four-week period and analyzed
for plasma lipids and susceptibility to oxidation of low-density lipoprotein
(LDL).
Results
- Both total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C)
levels were significantly reduced in both smokers and non-smokers
following treatment with either barley leaf (BL) or adlay (A) [Figure
12].
- HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased
in both smokers and non-smokers by barley leaf but not by adlay [Figure
13].
- The lag phase of LDL oxidation significantly increased
in both smokers and non-smokers after either supplementation indicating
that LDL was less susceptible to oxidation
[Figure 14]. Barley grass also had a significantly greater antioxidant
effect on the prevention of LDL oxidation in non-smokers than did
adlay.
SUMMARY: Supplementation
with either BL or adlay can decrease total and LDL cholesterol as well
as susceptibility of LDL-C to oxidation in hyperlipidemic smokers and
non-smokers. Barley leaf extract (barley grass juice) had a stronger
antioxidative effect than adlay and the effects of either BL or adlay
are less pronounced in smokers.
Note: The barley grass juice
powder (referred to as “barley leaf essence”, “barley
leaf extract”, or “barley leaf”) used in all four
of the studies described was provided by YH Products, the manufacturing
division of Green Foods Corporation, located in Oxnard, California.
Copyright © 2005 Green Foods
Corporation.
Clinical
Research Findings: Green Magma Lowers Cholesterol, LDL Oxidation, and
Free Radical Activity in the Blood.