Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE), also called fermented wheat germ powder (FWGP), is a concentrated extract of
wheat germ
The germ of a cereal grain is the part that develops into a plant;
it is the seed embryo. Along with bran, germ is often a by-product of the milling that produces refined grain products. Cereal grains and their components, such as wheat germ ...
derived from the germ (
endosperm
The endosperm is a tissue produced inside the seeds of most of the flowering plants following double fertilization. It is triploid (meaning three chromosome sets per nucleus) in most species, which may be auxin-driven. It surrounds the Embryo#Pla ...
, or seed) of the
wheat
Wheat is a group of wild and crop domestication, domesticated Poaceae, grasses of the genus ''Triticum'' (). They are Agriculture, cultivated for their cereal grains, which are staple foods around the world. Well-known Taxonomy of wheat, whe ...
plant. FWGE differs from ordinary wheat germ in that it is fermented with
baker's yeast
Baker's yeast is the common name for the strains of yeast commonly used in baking bread and other bakery products, serving as a leavening agent which causes the bread to rise (expand and become lighter and softer) by converting the fermentable ...
to concentrate biologically-active
benzoquinone Benzoquinone (C6H4O2) is a quinone with a single benzene ring. There are 2 (out of 3 hypothetical) benzoquinones:
* 1,4-Benzoquinone, most commonly, right image (also ''para''-benzoquinone, ''p''-benzoquinone, ''para''-quinone, or just quinone)
* ...
s. FWGE is available commercially and is sold under the trade name Avemar. In the U.S., the product is classified as a
dietary supplement
A dietary supplement is a manufactured product intended to supplement a person's diet by taking a pill (pharmacy), pill, capsule (pharmacy), capsule, tablet (pharmacy), tablet, powder, or liquid. A supplement can provide nutrients eithe ...
and is marketed as Awge.
FWGE is marketed with false claims of benefits for human health.
[A nagy rákbiznisz](_blank)
(The great cancer business) - ''Heti Válasz'', 2011-12-16 (Hungarian)
Misleading medical claims
FWGE if marketing with a number of misleading medical claims, including that it supports the immune system
The immune system is a network of biological systems that protects an organism from diseases. It detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens, from viruses to bacteria, as well as Tumor immunology, cancer cells, Parasitic worm, parasitic ...
and is useful in the treatment of cancer.
Precautions
According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) is a oncology, cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan in New York City. MSKCC is one of 72 National Cancer Institute–NCI-designated Cancer Center, designated Comprehen ...
, FWGE should not be taken by children or by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be taken by those who have undertaken organ or tissue transplants, or those who suffer from bleeding erosions or bleeding ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, enteritis, colitis, or malabsorption syndrome. Patients taking prescription medicine should consult with their doctor before use.
See also
*Alternative cancer treatments
Alternative cancer treatment describes any cancer treatment or practice that is not part of the conventional standard of cancer care. These include special diets and exercises, chemicals, herbs, devices, and manual procedures. Most alternative ...
*List of unproven and disproven cancer treatments
This is a non-exhaustive list of alternative cancer treatments, alternative treatments that have been promoted to treat or prevent cancer in humans but which lack scientific and medical evidence of effectiveness. In many cases, there is scientif ...
References
External links
Avemar Official Web Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fermented Wheat Germ Extract
Dietary supplements
Wheat