Health Benefits of Alfalfa

Alfalfa sprouts, seeds, and leaves can be eaten for a healthy diet. In fact, alfalfa sprouts, seeds, and leaves are rich in many nutrientes, minerals (zinc, iron, calcium), many vitamins (A, B1, B6), and antioxidants such as carotenes, chlorophylls, etc... Alfalfa has been grown for centuries for both food and medicine. Today, alfalfa products (leaves, seeds, sprouts, supplements) can be acquired in supermarkets and health food stores

Alfalfa health benefits

Murray and Pizzorno (2005) state in their book that there are many health benefits of alfalfa- This plant can be used to help the proper function of the blood, liver and bowel, to control cholesterol, for heart health and heart attack prevention, to control arthritis, kidney issues, fluid retention, swelling, edema control, etc. AS you can see there is a lot that this plant can do for your health.

Alfalfa and Arthritis

Many alternative and complementary health practitioners are recommending alfalfa to deal with some types of arthritis especially for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The minerals and amino acids present in alfalfa are said to help control inflammation, a big issue in arthritis. Symptoms can be alleviated with alfalfa consumption. Evidence about this is anecdotal and people with arthritis says it help control their symptoms.

Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Control with Alfalfa

The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Health (NCCAM) is testing e alfalfa, among other herbs, for blood glucose level control and as antidiabetic medicine. According to preliminary data a certain alfalfa components called NIC5-15, found in alfalfa seems to be effective as an antidiabetic drug. Also this component is said to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Warning

People with lupus should not take alfalfa because it is said to aggravate the disease. Also, saponins (with hormone activity) is said to exhert problems in pregnant women. So, the best advise would be ask your doctor before starting to eat alfalfa products.

Murray, MT, Pizzorno, L. 2005. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. Atria Books, ISBN 9780743480529

http://nccam.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2008_april/clinicaltrials.htm