Overview

Amaranth is a plant. The seed, oil, and leaf are used as food. The entire plant is used to make medicine.

Amaranth is used for ulcers, diarrhea, swelling of the mouth or throat, and high cholesterol, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, amaranth is used as a pseudocereal.

Amaranth contains chemicals that act like antioxidants.

There is interest in using amaranth for high cholesterol because some research in animals suggests that it might be able to lower total cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol, while raising "good" HDL cholesterol. But amaranth doesn't seem to have these benefits in people.

How does it work ?

Amaranth contains chemicals that act like antioxidants.

There is interest in using amaranth for high cholesterol because some research in animals suggests that it might be able to lower total cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol, while raising "good" HDL cholesterol. But amaranth doesn't seem to have these benefits in people.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Ineffective for

  • High cholesterol. In people with high cholesterol, eating a low-fat diet that includes amaranth oil or muffins enriched with amaranth doesn't seem to lower cholesterol any better than simply following a low-fat diet. In overweight adults, taking amaranth oil daily does not appear to affect good cholesterol levels and may actually increase bad cholesterol levels.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency. Early research in children shows that eating bread made from amaranth grain daily increases healthy red blood cell levels.
  • Stomach ulcers. Early research shows that amaranth oil doesn't help stomach ulcers in people already being treated with medications.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Swollen mouth and throat.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of amaranth for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: The seed, oil, and leaves of amaranth are LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. Taking amaranth as a medicine is POSSIBLY SAFE when used for 3 weeks or less.

It is not known if using amaranth as medicine is safe or what the possible side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: The seed, oil, and leaves of amaranth are LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. Taking amaranth as a medicine is POSSIBLY SAFE when used for 3 weeks or less.

It is not known if using amaranth as medicine is safe or what the possible side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if amaranth is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Amaranth overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of amaranth depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for amaranth. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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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.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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