Role of wheat grass juice in beta Thalassaemia major

Your Questions answered.

Your Question:
What are your thoughts on wheat grass juice and its role in reducing the transfusion need?

My answer:
Wheat grass juice has been used as an energy boosting drink for many years. There have been many “beneficial effects” attributed to it based on anecdotal evidence. The juice is made by blending (or extracting juice from) the green leaves and shoot of the wheat grass. This is the wheatgrass product that has been studied.

I am aware of other preparations (including: wheat grass extracts which have apparently had chlorophyll removed from it, nasal and oral sprays and powder forms) being “trialed” in different parts of the world.

The essence of the discussion is based on a 2004 Indian study[1], which reported that a subgroup of patients with transfusion dependent beta Thalassaemia major who took wheat grass juice had had a significant reduction in their transfusion requirement. I must emphasize here that this was only seen in a subgroup of patients and not in all of them.

There hasn’t been a lot written about wheat grass juice in medical literature. However, with the findings of the Indian study there has been an increased interest in obtaining more information on this “new find”.

The current thought is that there is an as yet unidentified ingredient in the wheat grass juice that is able to increase the production of fetal haemoglobin. Although significant, the increase in fetal haemoglobin, and the subsequent reduction in the need for transfusion was not enough to altogether stop transfusion for any length of time.

This is all very interesting and exciting from a research point of view and it could be the impetus for new research into newer forms of treatment in the future.

However, I must warn readers that at this stage all this is experimental. Nothing is conclusively proven. I believe that there is a benefit, but this has to be established through more research.

My current view is that wheat grass juice be treated as an experimental agent with potential benefits in the future. I do not recommend it as part of general routine treatment of transfusion dependent beta Thalassaemia major.

Those people interested in using wheat grass juice, or its other forms, should only do so under guidance and supervision of their treating doctor so that any benefit may be documented properly. The evidence to date is that the “beneficial effects” are seen slowly over a period of several months. Therefore it is not a quick fix.

The side effect profile of wheatgrass juice (or its extracts) is not well documented at this stage. It is claimed that the side effects are minimal and that the most significant of them is a skin rash (possibly allergic). Please be aware that natural products can and do have side effects contrary to what some people would like us to believe.

It should also be noted that chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, is a source of iron. Therefore individuals with an already high Ferritin level should be extra vigilant with their Desferal injections should they chose to try wheat grass juice. They may in fact not be good candidates to try wheat grass juice. This needs to be discussed with the treating doctor in detail before any trial is started.

1. Marawaha RK. Bansal D. Kaur S. Trehan A. Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial] Indian Pediatrics. 41(7):716-20, 2004 Jul.

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