Alfalfa
Description
Alfalfa is a plant with long history of use around the world as a livestock
feed. Middle-Eastern cultures have long used alfalfa as fodder for horses
claiming increased speed and strength of the animals and leading to the
name "Al-fal-fa" meaning "father of all foods". The
fiber-rich alfalfa plant, like beans and peas, is a member of the legume
family and can be found in modern dietary supplements as an ingredient
targeted to lowering cholesterol, increasing energy levels and "detoxifying"
the blood.
Claims
- Reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Promotes general liver health and "detoxifies" the body
- Relieves pain and stiffness of arthritis/bursitis
- Alleviates postmenopausal side effects (hot flashes)
- Increases energy levels and reduces fatigue
Theory
Like other members of the legume family, alfalfa is a fairly good source
protein (up to 50%), B-complex vitamins and several minerals (calcium,
magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and potassium). Due to its generally high
nutritive value, alfalfa could possibly help to prevent fatigue associated
with vitamin/mineral deficiency or protein energy malnutrition in disadvantaged
parts of the world. In addition, alfalfa also contains saponins which,
like those found in various ginseng roots, may have adaptogenic or stimulatory
actions on the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Alfalfa is also promoted
as a "detoxifier" for the liver and bloodstream, possibly due
to its alkalizing nature. Finally, the isoflavone / phytoestrogens content
of alfalfa may explain claims of anti-cancer activity and benefits in
relieving menopausal symptoms.
Scientific Support
Scientific or clinical evidence in support for the claimed benefits
of alfalfa is either scanty or totally lacking. For example, we know that
coumestrol, a phytoestrogen found in alfalfa, can inhibit the activity
of human pancreatic cancer cells (in a test-tube), but we have no evidence,
from either clinical or epidemiological studies, of an anti-cancer benefit
of alfalfa from the diet. Regarding the proposed cardiovascular benefits
of alfalfa in lowering cholesterol levels, laboratory evidence (animal
and test-tube studies) shows that saponins and other compounds in alfalfa
are capable of binding to cholesterol and bile salts. In the GI tract,
cholesterol and bile salt-binding may prevent or slow dietary absorption
of cholesterol and therefore, help lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
In one small study, 15 patients with elevated cholesterol levels were
given alfalfa (40 grams, 3 times per day for 8 weeks). Results showed
an average 17-18% reduction in total and LDL cholesterol levels, with
some patients exhibiting decreases in the range of 26-30%. The authors
of the study concluded that alfalfa can be helpful in normalizing serum
cholesterol concentrations - though the convenience of adding 120 GRAMS
of alfalfa (almost 4 ounces) to a supplement regimen is debatable.
| |
|
Alfalfa |
Barley
|
Wheat |
| Energy |
Kj/100g |
1500 |
1500 |
1450 |
| Protein |
g/100g |
32 |
27 |
24 |
| Fat |
g/100g |
3.2 |
4.4 |
4.5 |
| Total Dietary Fiber |
g/100g |
39 |
34 |
41 |
| Moisture |
g/100g |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Carbohydrates |
g/100g |
50 |
54 |
52 |
| Total Sugars |
g/100g |
5 |
5 |
7 |
| Chlorophyll |
g/Kg |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
| Carotenes |
mg/Kg |
300 |
350 |
320 |
| Vitamins |
|
Alfalfa |
Barley |
Wheat |
| Vitamin A (Retinol) |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
1.5 |
<0.1 |
| Vitamin B12 |
mg/g |
0.1 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
| Vitamin C |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Vitamin E |
mg/g |
2.4 |
5.3 |
4.1 |
| Vitamin K |
mg/g |
0.03 |
0.02 |
0.02 |
| Thiamin - B1 |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Riboflavin - B2 |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Pyridoxine - B6 |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Niacin |
mg/g |
1.5 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Biotin |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Folic Acid |
mg/g |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
| Minerals |
|
Alfalfa |
Barley |
Wheat |
| Calcium |
mg/kg |
13000 |
5300 |
3500 |
| Cobalt |
mg/kg |
0.19 |
<0.1 |
0.13 |
| Copper |
mg/kg |
6 |
6.6 |
6.8 |
| Iron |
mg/kg |
82 |
180 |
370 |
| Iodine |
ug/100g |
15 |
20 |
55 |
| Magnesium |
mg/kg |
3000 |
2100 |
1300 |
| Manganese |
mg/kg |
26 |
30 |
74 |
| Phosphorus |
mg/kg |
2300 |
4300 |
3200 |
| Potassium |
mg/kg |
25000 |
42000 |
31000 |
| Selenium |
mg/kg |
<0.1 |
0.23 |
0.39 |
| Sodium |
mg/kg |
610 |
2400 |
210 |
| Sulphur |
mg/kg |
4100 |
3400 |
4000 |
| Zinc |
mg/kg |
21 |
26 |
21 |
| Amino Acids |
|
Alfalfa |
Barley |
Wheat |
| Alanine |
g/100g |
26 |
3.9 |
3.6 |
| Arginine |
g/100g |
0.6 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
| Aspartic Acid |
g/100g |
2.6 |
2.5 |
2.6 |
| Cystine |
g/100g |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
| Glutamic Acid |
g/100g |
2.2 |
2.9 |
3.5 |
| Glycine |
g/100g |
1 |
1.3 |
1.4 |
| Histidine |
g/100g |
0.6 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
| Isoleucine |
g/100g |
1 |
1.2 |
1.2 |
| Leucine |
g/100g |
1.7 |
2.1 |
2.2 |
| Lysine |
g/100g |
1.3 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Methionine |
g/100g |
0.3 |
0.5 |
0.6 |
| Phenylalanine |
g/100g |
1.2 |
1.4 |
1.5 |
| Proline |
g/100g |
1.4 |
1.6 |
1.7 |
| Serine |
g/100g |
1 |
1.1 |
1.2 |
| Threonine |
g/100g |
1.1 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
| Tryptophan |
g/100g |
0.4 |
0.7 |
0.5 |
| Tyrosine |
g/100g |
0.8 |
1 |
1 |
| Valine |
g/100g |
1.3 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
 Role
of rhizobial biosynthetic pathways of amino acids, nucleotide bases and
vitamins in symbiosis.
Randhawa GS, Hassani R.
Department of Biosciences & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology,
Roorkee 247 667, India. sharnfbs@iitr.ernet.in
Rhizobia require the availability of 20 amino acids for the establishment
of effective symbiosis with legumes. Some of these amino acids are synthesized
by rhizobium, whereas the remaining are supplied by the host plant. The
supply from plant appears to be plant-type specific. Alfalfa provides
arginine, cysteine, isoleucine, valine and tryptophan, and cowpea and
soybean provide histidine. The production of ornithine and anthranilic
acid, the intermediates in the biosynthetic pathways of arginine and tryptophan,
respectively, seems to be essential for effective symbiosis of Sinorhizobium
meliloti with alfalfa. The expression of ilvC gene of S. meliloti is required
for induction of nodules on the roots of alfalfa plants. An undiminished
metabolic flow through the rhizobial pathways for the synthesis of purines
and pyrimidines and the synthesis of biotin, nicotinic acid, riboflavin
and thiamine by rhizobium appear to be requirements for normal symbiosis.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review article on the
role of rhizobial biosynthetic pathways of amino acids, nucleotide bases
and vitamins in rhizobium-legume symbiosis. The scientific developments
of about 35 years in this field have been reviewed.
PMID: 12597544 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Alfalfa means "father of all foods", a fiber-rich that can
lower cholesterol, increase energy levels and detoxifythe blood.
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