Alfalfa sprouts

[Guest guest]

Safety Issues

Alfalfa in its various forms may present some health risks. Powdered

alfalfa herb, alfalfa sprouts, and alfalfa seeds all contain L-

cavanine, a substance that may cause abnormal blood cell counts,

spleen enlargement, or recurrence of lupus in patients with

controlled disease. However, heating alfalfa may correct this

problem.

 

Researchers investigating alfalfa seeds' ability to lower cholesterol

levels discovered that it had another effect on the lab animals used

for testing. In some of the monkeys, it caused a disease very similar

to lupus. 27 Further research on this effect revealed that monkeys

that had abnormal blood cell counts when eating either alfalfa seeds

or sprouts, and then recovered when alfalfa was no longer part of

their diet, developed the symptoms again when given an isolated

component of alfalfa called L-canavanine. 28 Alfalfa seeds and

sprouts have a higher concentration of L-canavanine than the leaves

or roots.

 

In a clinical trial of alfalfa seeds for lowering cholesterol

involving only three human volunteers, one man who participated

developed pancytopenia (an abnormally low number of all of the

various types of blood cells) and enlargement of the spleen. 29

Additionally, there are two published case reports of patients who

had lupus which was controlled with drug therapy, suffering relapses

after consuming alfalfa tablets. Again, L-canavanine is thought

responsible for these effects.

 

When alfalfa seeds were autoclaved (heated to extremely high

temperatures) and fed to monkeys for a year, no ill effects were

seen, and the monkeys' cholesterol levels decreased. 30 It may be

that the L-canavanine can be destroyed by extreme heat, while the

saponins that seem to be responsible for the beneficial effects of

alfalfa remain intact. If so a heat-treated product might prove safe;

however, much research remains to be done before we can know this for

certain.

 

At present, it seems prudent that people who have been diagnosed with

lupus, or those who suspect a predisposition to it based on family

history, should probably avoid alfalfa. This includes the tablets

used for supplements and the sprouts on the salad bar (go for the

lettuce or the spinach instead).

 

Because of the estrogenic effects of some of alfalfa's components,

alfalfa is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or young

children. In addition, the high vitamin K content in alfalfa could,

in theory, make the drug warfarin (Coumadin) less effective.

 

Finally, a number of cases of food poisoning have been documented

from fresh sprouts infected with bacteria that was present on the

seeds prior to germination. 31,32,33 Unfortunately, sprouts can

appear fresh and yet host enough bacteria to cause illness in people

who eat them. Some health care workers recommend that those at higher

risk for such infections—young children, those with chronic diseases,

and the elderly—avoid eating sprouts altogether.

 

(source: healthlibrary)

[Guest guest]

Prior to this I have only heard positive information about alfalfa

sprouts, other than some that had been grown in unhealthy conditions,

using contaminated water etc.

 

Using treated seeds would definitely cause them to be TOXIC! One

should use untreated seeds, preferably organic.

 

Alfalfa sprouts have been known to be a perfect blood builder and one

of the most nutritious foods you can eat. I have heard them called

the " KING OF THE SPROUTS! " Broccoli is a good one too.

I use a blend of alfalfa, broccoli, cabbage, radish, chia, black

mustard, and red clover seeds. The combination is spicier than plain

alfalfa but is loaded with all kinds of vitamins and minerals. They

are loaded with enzymes which our bodies really depend on.

 

Alfalfa is a good source of B-complex vitamins along with vitamins

A,C,E & K. They also contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and

the trace minerals selenium and zinc. If grown in indirect light

they develop chlorophyll. The vitamin " c " content is higher than that

found in citrus fruits.

 

We usually use them as our winter garden.

 

~Gail