Wheat Sprouts and Osteo-arthritis in Dogs

INDIANA UNIVERSITY MUNCI CENTER FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION Mana Bingham Hall Ball State University Muncie, Indiana 47306 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE RE: Final Report On "Clinical Survey Evaluation of the Effect of Wheat Sprouts on Musculo-Skeletal Inflammation in Dogs". The effects of wheat sprouts whole food antioxidant enzyme support upon musculo-skeletal inflammatory symptoms were studied in conjunction with five veterinary physicians in separate clinical practices. The following data is the final compilation of the survey questionnaires submitted by these veterinarians. The diagnostic category was osteo-arthritis or musculo-skeletal inflammation. The inflammation was normally a result of old age, injury or surgery. Total number of dogs treated, monitored and reported was 941. Method(s) of diagnosis for determining treatment protocol and effects in each case were one or more of the following: physical exam (i.e., joint flexibility, pain and muscle atrophy), palpation, radiographic assay (to determine extent of lesions), blood chemistry (i.e., liver enzymes, CBC, cholesterol) and client observation of animal behavior. The average dosage levels varied from initial loading doses of 2 tablets (1 gram) of wheat sprouts per 10-20 pounds of body weight for 2 to 6 weeks (or until response is noted) to maintenance doses of 1 tablet (500 mg) per 10-20 pounds of body weight depending upon severity of condition or stress, size and age of animal. The total number of dogs reported as successfully treated was 810 or over 86%. It is important to note that many of the animals that were not reported as successfully treated were listed as exhibiting some improvement in at least one category of other noteworthy observations among these dogs included increased vitality and alertness in older animals, improved recovery from injury and surgery (especially in geriatric cases), an overall reduction in symptoms of old age such as lethargy and poor appetite, normalized liver enzyme levels, lowered dosage of thyroid supplementation and lowered dosage of insulin. The results of this survey strongly indicate that wheat sprouts is a potent nutritional tool in the natural treatment of musculo-skeletal arthritic inflammation. Based upon scientific evidence correlating free radical pathology with inflammatory conditions it is further indicated that the effects of wheat sprouts are due, at least in part, to significant antioxidant qualities. Any one of the long list of benefits reported other than anti-inflammatory warrant further study. In conclusion, the results of this survey has led to a collaborative association with Thomas Sevier, M.D., a physician associated with Central Indiana Sports Medicine. We have initiated a pilot study involving 5 human subjects with varying symptoms of musculo-skeletal inflammation and osteo-arthritis following a protocol similar to the ones used by the veterinarians in the survey. The results of this pilot study could lead to a larger more diverse clinical study requiring further funding.