nutrition
The Nutritional Science
“The desirable nutritional changes that occur during sprouting are mainly due to the breakdown of complex compounds into a more simple form, transformation into essential constituents, and breakdown of nutritionally undesirable constituents.”
“The metabolic activity of resting seeds increases as soon as they are hydrated during soaking. Complex biochemical changes occur during hydration and subsequent sprouting. The reserve chemical constituents, such as protein, starch and lipids, are broken down by enzymes into simple compounds that are used to make new compounds.”
“Sprouting grains causes increased activities of hydrolytic enzymes, improvements in the contents of total proteins, fat, certain essential amino acids, total sugars, B-group vitamins, and a decrease in dry matter, starch and anti-nutrients. Improvements in amino acid composition, B-group vitamins, sugars, protein and starch digestibilities, and decrease in phytates and protease inhibitors are the metabolic effects of the sprouting process.”
Chavan and Kadam (1989)
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Nutrition
FODDERsolutions barley grass is organically grown and harvested at the time when the blades contain the peak spectrum of nutrients.
Barley grass is considered the most nutritional of the green grasses containing an abundance of nutrients unsurpassed by any other type of grass. The benefits of fresh green feed such as barley grass have been well documented over the past 50 years. Typical rations of barley grass vary from 50% to 75% of the total ration (by weight) which varies from 2.5% to 5% of the body weight of a specific animal.
Barley grass has shown to increase the overall health of the animal through better digestion of the hay and grain. While overall wellness is the most noted result, studies indicate improved performance results in other areas as well. Not only will animals be healthier but also they will experience:
- Greater energy and vitality
- Stimulates the immune response
- Reduction in antinutritional factors
- Antioxidant properties
Independent research studies have been conducted by qualified academic institutes that prove the value of using barley grass. These studies show that barley grass is both beneficial to livestock and cost effective as a substitute for the traditional fodder supplements.
Nutritional Benefits
There are many benefits to be found from using fresh "Dr Green" barley grass that has been organically-hydroponically grown.
These benefits include:
- Improved feed quality
- System produces the cleanest feeds possible
- No pesticides or herbicides
- No dirt in the food supply
- Products can be certified organic
- Longer shelf life for sprouts
Hydroponically grown barley grass (blade, root and seed structure) offers:
- Fresh green product year round (critical in “dry” months)
- Digestive enzymes
- Rich energy value
High nutrient value and a good source of:
- Protein
- Amino acids
- Essential vitamins/minerals
Hygienic and free of:
- Dust (aids in preventing respiratory diseases)
- Agriculturally related contaminants.
| Analysis - Dr Green | on dry weight basis | |
| Nutrient | Units | Results |
| Crude Protein | % | 20.2 |
| Fat | % | 4.3 |
| Crude fibre | % | 11.3 |
| Starch | % | 15.4 |
| Metabolizable Energy (Ruminants) | MJ/kg | 12.1 |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | % | 0.15 |
| Potassium | % | 0.7 |
| Magnesium | % | 0.24 |
| Phosphorus | % | 0.46 |
| Sulphur | % | 0.28 |
| Boron | mg/kg | 22 |
| Copper | mg/kg | 11 |
| Iron | mg/kg | 160 |
| Manganese | mg/kg | 37 |
| Zinc | mg/kg | 40 |
Statements from Published Literature
1. Antioxidant Vitamins A, E, and C
As reported by Shipard (2005) - "Sprouts can be a rich source of antioxidants, in the form of Beta-Carotene (a precursor of Vitamin-A), Vitamin-E, Vitamin-C and related trace minerals such as Selenium and Zinc. Antioxidants play an important role in assisting to protect the body from damage by free radicals. ("Free radicals" are highly unstable oxygen molecules that are increasingly generated under conditions of high physical exertion and also under conditions of poor nutrition.) As physiologically toxic agents, they have the potential to lead to pain and disease. Free radicals travel throughout the body in search of an electron "partner" and can "steal" electrons from healthy cells. In doing so, they have the ability to alter the structure of the vital biological entities DNA and RNA, which are required for the reproduction of cells. Antioxidant vitamins have an ability to neutralise free-radicals, by either taking away or donating electrons, thereby eliminating the unpaired electron."
The highest sources of antioxidant vitamins and minerals are undoubtedly the legume seeds, such as - FENUGREEK, ALFALFA / LUCERNE, MUNG BEANS, CHICK PEAS and SUNFLOWER SEEDS. According to Shipard (2005), "Fenugreek is one of the oldest recorded medicinal herbs, highly esteemed by both east and west, and has been regarded as a treatment for just about every ailment known to man. Fenugreek has a beneficial action on cleansing the blood."
Other well accepted roles for Vitamins A and E in equine physiology include:
Vitamin-A:
- Disease resistance,
- Skin & Coat condition,
- Nervous function.
Vitamin-E:
- Immune system competence & Disease resistance,
- Heart, skeletal & respiratory muscle function,
- Oxygen utilization,
- Possible role with Selenium in preventing Muscle Tie-up syndrome.
- Nervous function.
Possible roles for Vitamin-C include:
- An involvement in blood capillary strength and fragility, thereby potentially assisting in the reduction of pulmonary bleeding in racehorses.
2. Alkalising Effect on Body Cells
According to Shipard (2005) -
“Sprouts help to “alkalise” the body and neutralise acidic wastes, thus assisting the body
to heal itself and develop a stronger immune system. Just as most plants grow well in
neutral pH soils, so too can animals be more productive if given alkaline feeds. It is
believed that in an acid state, body cells cannot adequately take in nutrients and oxygen,
and they cannot effectively expel toxins. An overly acid state reduces the amount of
oxygen and nutrients that the cells can receive. When a cell is oxygen deprived, various
types of serious health problems may be created.”
In racehorses and other performance horses kept in stabled or yarded
environments, where access to fresh grass or pasture legumes is not possible,
Ulceration of the Gut, as well as Laminiti s and Founder diseases are
thought to increase in prevalence under conditions of excessively acidic cellular
states.
These conditions are most likely induced by a lack of salivary buffering
brought about by inadequate grazing, low roughage / high grain intakes, and the
stresses of high intensity training and the boredom of stable life.
Shipard (2005) continues to state -
“Healthy cells are alkaline. An alkaline body is a clean system that is able to play a vital
role in maintaining natural immunity and optimum health. Feeds are classified as “acid”
or “alkaline” according to the chemical nature of the ash residue that remains following
digestive processes. “Ash” relates to the mineral content of feed.”
“Generally, all seeds, grains, legumes and nuts are acidic in nature. However, following germination, sprouts develop a richness of essential minerals that are alkaline in nature. Therefore, it is in the action of seeds sprouting, that they change from “acid” seeds to“alkaline” sprouts. Enzyme-rich feeds are also generally alkaline in chemical nature.”
Anecdotal reports suggest that the feeding of sprouts may have a benefit in preventing the occurrence of, and possibly assisting in the treatment of, Gastric Ulceration in Horses. Several thoroughbred trainers have reported that Gut Ulcers can be prevented in their racehorses by the feeding of 5 - 10 kg per day of sprouts for the duration of the training preparation.
3. Source of Chlorophyll
According to Shipard (2005) -
“Sprouts are a good source of Chlorophyll, which plays an important role in blood
cleansing and building, as well as helping to regenerate the liver, detoxify and invigorate
the body and energise the immune system. Chlorophyll has been found beneficial for
strengthening the heart, intestines, vascular and lymphatic systems, lungs, glands and
reproductive organs.”
Additional sources of chlorophyll become increasingly important under conditions of drought and where poor quality hays or roughages form a large portion of the diet.
Reference
Shipard, I. (2005). “How Can I Grow and Use Sprouts as Living Food ?” Stewart
Publishing.