Fermented Wheat Germ Extract: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Fermented wheat germ extract is made by fermenting extract of wheat germ with yeast. Wheat germ is the nutrient-rich embryo of the wheat kernel.

Fermented wheat germ extract contains chemicals that are thought to help treat cancer. It also has antioxidant effects.

People sometimes use fermented wheat germ extract for colon and rectal cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Fermented Wheat Germ Extract overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Fermented wheat germ extract is possibly safe. A specific wheat germ extract (Avemar) has been used safely in doses of 8.5-9 grams once or twice daily for up to 1 year. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include diarrhea or nausea.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if fermented wheat germ extract is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if fermented wheat germ extract is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Fermented wheat germ extract is possibly safe when taken by mouth. A specific wheat germ extract (Avemar) has been used safely for about 29 months.

Organ transplant recipients: Fermented wheat germ extract might increase the immune system. This might increase the risk of organ transplant rejection. If you have received an organ transplant, don't use fermented wheat germ extract until more is known.

Surgery: Fermented wheat germ might affect levels of a brain chemical called serotonin. This could interfere with surgery. Stop using fermented wheat germ at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with Fermented Wheat Germ Extract
Fermented wheat germ extract can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking fermented wheat germ extract along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Serotonergic drugs interacts with Fermented Wheat Germ Extract
Fermented wheat germ might increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications also have this effect. Taking fermented wheat germ extract along with these medications might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.

Dosing

A specific wheat germ extract (Avemar) has most often been used by adults in doses of 8.5-9 grams by mouth once or twice daily for up to 1 year. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

Lin Y, Rudrum M, van der Wielen RP, et al. Wheat germ policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in subjects with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol concentrations. Metabolism 2004;53:1309-14.

Garami M, Schuler D, Babosa M, et al. Fermented wheat germ extract reduces chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients. J Pediat Hematol Oncol 2004;26(10):631-635.

Jakab F, Shoenfeld Y, Balogh A, et al. A medical nutriment has supportive value in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer 2003;89(3):465-469.

Jakab F, Mayer A, Hoffmann A, Hidvegi M. First clinical data of a natural immunomodulator in colorectal cancer. Hepatogastroenterology 2000;47(32):393-395.

Balint G, Apathy A, Gaal M, et al. Effect of Avemar--a fermented wheat germ extract--on rheumatoid arthritis. Preliminary data. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2006;24(3):325-328.

Demidov LV, Manziuk LV, Kharkevitch GY, Pirogova NA, Artamonova EV. Adjuvant fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar) nutraceutical improves survival of high-risk skin melanoma patients: a randomized, pilot, phase II clinical study with a 7-year follow-up. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2008;23(4):477-482.

Heimbach JT, Sebestyen G, Semjen G, Kennepohl E. Safety studies regarding a standardized extract of fermented wheat germ. Int J Toxicol 2007;26(3):253-259.

Hidvegi M, Raso E, Tomoskozi Farkas R, Lapis K, Szende B. Effect of MSC on the immune response of mice. Immunopharmacology 1999;41(3):183-186.

Sukkar SG, Rossi E. Oxidative stress and nutritional prevention in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2004;3(3):199-206.

Ehrenfeld M, Blank M, Shoenfeld Y, Hidvegi M. AVEMAR (a new benzoquinone-containing natural product) administration interferes with the Th2 response in experimental SLE and promotes amelioration of the disease. Lupus 2001;10(9):622-627.

Gidali J, Hidvégi M, Fehér I, et al. The effect of Avemar treatment on the regeneration of leukocytes, thrombocytes and reticulocytes in sublethally irradiated or cyclophosphamide treated mice. First Congress of the Hungarian Society of Clinical Oncology, Budapest, Hungary, November 10-11, 2000.

Minamiyama Y, Takemura S, Yoshikawa T, Okada S. Fermented grain products, production, properties and benefits to health. Pathophysiology 2003;9(4):221-227.

Saiko P, Ozsvar-Kozma M, Madlener S, et al. Avemar, a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract, induces apoptosis and inhibits ribonucleotide reductase in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Cancer Lett 2007;250(2):323-328.

Comin-Anduix B, Boros LG, Marin S, et al. Fermented wheat germ extract inhibits glycolysis/pentose cycle enzymes and induces apoptosis through poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in Jurkat T-cell leukemia tumor cells. J Biol Chem 2002;277(48):46408-46414.

Boros LG, Lapis K, Szende B, et al. Wheat germ extract decreases glucose uptake and RNA ribose formation but increases fatty acid synthesis in MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Pancreas 2001;23(2):141-147.

Vucskits, AV, Hullar, I, Bersenyi, A, Andrasofszky, E, Kulcsar, M, Szabo, J. Effect of fulvic and humic acids on performance, immune response and thyroid function in rats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2010;94(6):721-728.

Mueller T, Voigt W. Fermented wheat germ extract--nutritional supplement or anticancer drug? Nutr J 2011;10:89.

Weitzen R, Epstein N, Oberman B, Shevetz R, Hidvegi M, Berger R. Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) as a treatment additive for castration-resistant prostate cancer: a pilot clinical trial. Nutr Cancer 2022;74(4):1338-46.

Hu Z, Zhao P, Liao A, et al. Fermented Wheat Germ Alleviates Depression-like Behavior in Rats with Chronic and Unpredictable Mild Stress. Foods 2023;12(5):920.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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