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The root of good nutrition
Wheat germ is the embryo of the wheat berry, so whole wheat products naturally contain wheat germ. Wheat germ itself is more nutritionally balanced than wheat germ oil.
Available in foods, as flakes, or as oil, wheat germ is a great source of vitamin E, plus most B vitamins and many minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Besides being one of the richest sources of vitamin E, the oil also contains an active ingredient called octacosanol. Though lacking scientific proof, its manufacturers claim it can enhance your overall vitality, refine your oxygen use, and improve your endurance, although these claims have been questioned by medical experts..
Quick Facts About Wheat Germ
- Wheat germ oil contains vitamin E antioxidant properties, so it resists oxidation better than other oils and may be helpful for many conditions that appear to benefit from supplemental vitamin E.
- Wheat germ is a food supplement in itself; other foods rich in it are whole grain wheat products.
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What Works Best -- and Worst -- with Wheat Germ
Wheat germ, because it naturally contains oil, may turn rancid. Buy fresh supplies and store them in your refrigerator.
Product Forms Available
Individual supplements in capsules, tablets, powders, oils, and flakes
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Wheat germ is an excellent source of vitamin E and octacosanol. Other components of wheat germ are vitamin B, protein, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.
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Proponents claim that wheat germ is a good nutritional source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, especially vitamin E and octacosanol.
As an excellent source of vitamin E, wheat germ may benefit you in the ways vitamin E benefits you, especially if you are lacking in this vitamin.
Wheat germ may be ingested for internal effects or you may apply wheat germ oil externally. Vitamin E and wheat germ may help treat many different types of skin problems. You may experience positive effects from using wheat germ oil if you have minor skin sores, burns, or other such skin conditions. It may even reduce the scars of certain skin wounds.
The vitamin E in wheat germ also acts as an antioxidant. This property may possibly aid in reducing your risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Taking wheat germ may possibly benefit you in other ways as well. In women, wheat germ may help treat the symptoms stemming from PMS or menopause. If you have a fibrocystic breast disease, wheat germ may help you. More research is needed in order to verify these possibilities.
The other main component of wheat germ oil is octacosanol. Proponents claim that octacosanol increases your utilization of oxygen. They claim that wheat germ oil may enhance your athletic performance and endurance, especially if you are under stress or are located at a higher altitude. These claims are also questioned by some medical experts.
Wheat germ is also used in cooking or baking nutritious foods. You may find many recipes that contain wheat germ as an ingredient.
Common Uses
Wheat germ may be help to:
- Fight free radical cells with antioxidant activity
- Treat minor burns, sores, and miscellaneous skin disorders
- Enhance your athletic performance
Remember that no health claims for wheat germ have been evaluated by the FDA.
Storage
You should keep your wheat germ supplements in a vacuum-packed or tightly covered container. Store them in your refrigerator. Otherwise, wheat germ can easily become rancid. You should also use wheat germ before its shelf-life date.
Dosage and Administration
You may find wheat germ in the following forms: capsules, tablets, powders, oils and flakes.
- You may ingest the capsules and tablets.
- Wheat germ powder is often used in cooking and baking.
- Many people sprinkle wheat germ flakes onto their meals, such as cereal.
- Wheat germ oil may be applied externally to treat minor skin disorders. You may also ingest wheat germ oil to obtain a sufficient amount of vitamin E and octacosanol.
No RDA has been set for wheat germ and a safe dosage has not been established. However, if you ingest about a quarter of cup of wheat germ, you will obtain approximately 40% of the vitamin E that is recommended for you on a daily basis.
You should be able to find wheat germ in grocery stores and health food stores.
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The oil naturally contained in wheat germ may turn rancid. Therefore always buy a fresh supply and store in your refrigerator.
Side Effects
No significant side effects are associated with taking wheat germ supplements. Wheat germ seems to be relatively safe, even if you take it in large amounts for a sustained period of time. In fact, you may not experience the benefits of wheat germ until you have taken the supplements for a couple of months.
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