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Wheat Germ Oil: Expeller-expressed
wheat germ oil is an excellent source of natural vitamin E, which is our best natural protection for the cell membrane. The Shute brothers of Canada demonstrated that vitamin E supplements are an effective protection against heart disease. In their studies they used wheat germ oil, not synthetic vitamin E preparations.
http://www.westonaprice.org/basics/guide-to-superfoods
Guide to Superfoods, Written by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD, Saturday, 01 January 2000 02:48
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Wheat germ oil is one of the most concentrated natural sources of vitamin E. According to the US Department of Agriculture, 1,100 mg of non-GMO wheat germ oil (the amount that is in each vegetarian soft gel cap of Wheat Germ Oil E (TM) contains over 164mg of vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol.[7] According to the conversion formula in the 10 th edition of Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease [8], this equates to 110 international units (i.u.) of vitamin E per capsule. Wheat Germ Oil E TM contains vitamin E as [d]-alpha-tocopherol.
[7] Oil, wheat germ. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 19, 2006
[8] Traber MG. Vitamin E. In Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 10th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Balt. 2006:396-411
http://www.doctorsresearch.com/prod_wheat.html
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[...] the oil from the germ of the wheat has long been used by people with a variety of health concerns.
The PDR states, “Wheat germ oil protects and nurtures the skin, is a laxative and reduces lipids. It is a valuable dietetic because of the high level of polyunsaturated acids and vitamin E” [1]. Chinese medicine uses it for
night sweats, whereas “
Flatulence, constipation, itching, and menorrhagia are indications for use in Indian medicine” [1].
Royal Lee advised its use for those who bruise easily (
capillary fragility), have
lowered metabolism, have anoxia-like symptoms (frequent sighing/yawning, tachycardia, hyperirritability), have
tissue concerns (bleeding gums), have low stamina, are obese and/or have cramps brought on by exertion [2]. He also wrote, “Wheat germ oil is about 75% unsaturated fatty acids and as such is believed to have
an effect on iodine metabolism, acting to increase thyroid activity in this respect. This may account for
the relief of fatigue often expressed by patients using wheat germ oil in the diet” [2].
Some doctors also report that they use wheat germ oil for those with
depression.
Recent research confirms that wheat germ oil can help
reduce oxidative stress [3]. Wheat germ oil also contains
policosanol (a substance that can be helpful in
lowering raised blood sugar and/or cholesterol levels [4,5]), as well as
octacosonal (a substance reported to
improve human fitness [4,5]).
One study reported, “Policosanol (PC) is the common name for a mixture of high molecular weight (20-36 carbon) aliphatic primary alcohols, which are constituents of plant epicuticular waxes. Wheat germ oil has been reported to
improve human physical fitness, and this effect is attributed to its high PC, specifically its high octacosanol (OC) content” [5].
Octacosanol is a component of wheat germ oil and is sometimes advised for
Parkinson’s [4,6]. “There is limited evidence that octacosanol itself may
lower cholesterol levels…There are claims that octacosanol is useful in building
muscle strength and endurance, and these claims have made the supplement popular with some body builders. There is preliminary evidence, limited to animal experiments, that octacosanol may increase voluntary exercise in the animals [4].
Wheat germ oil naturally is high in the steroidal esters betasitosterol and campersterol. “Beta-sisterol itself is used as a medicine in Europe for BPH” (benign prostate hypotrophy) [4]. Interestingly, while three studies using non-purified beta-sisterols found that it tends to
improve urinary output (and at the same time reducing mean residual urinary volume for males with prostate problems), one study suggested that using purified beta-sisterol “did not help flow volume” [4]. Of course, Wheat Germ Oil E TM does not contain “purified” betasitosterol, but the naturally-occurring non-purified form.
http://www.doctorsresearch.com/prod_wheat.html