A: Its best to take it on an
empty stomach, either 20 minutes before a meal or
2 hours after so that the BG nutrients can be assimilated
easily without the presence of other foods. Make
sure you use either cold or room temperature liquid,
as hot liquid will break down the live enzymes.
Q: Is BARLEYGREEN organic?
A: Yes, the barley grass is grown
at our own farm and is California certified organic.
Q: Your instructions for use
previously stated that BARLEYGREEN should be mixed
in a non-acidic juice. Why has that been changed?
A: There is a misunderstanding with
this statement. While the enzymes in BG will remain
in an active state longer in water or a non-acidic
juice, BARLEYGREEN mixed with any juice will still
remain in an active state as long as you drink it
within 5-10 minutes.
Q: Is it okay to take multi-vitamins
with BG?
A: Yes, you can continue taking multi-vitamins
while taking BG. BG is a whole food product which
is derived from fresh barley grass and will not
interfere with your multivitamins. In fact, the
enzymes and phytochemicals in BG can assist with
the assimilation of multivitamins.
Q: Can I overdose on BG?
A: No, BG is a whole food derived
from freshly squeezed barley grass. You cant
overdose on BG. It is equivalent to eating more
fresh green vegetables.
Q: Is BG good for losing weight?
A: Yes. BG has only 20 calories
per serving and has an abundance of nutrients. If
you are in a weight loss program, your body will
benefit by taking BG. It provides vitamins, minerals,
amino acids, enzymes, and proteins, minus fat and
with practically no calories.
Q: What does BG do for you?
A: That is a limiting question
but we would say that it is like drinking the juice
from one of the worlds most nutritionally
complete plants. It provides you with an abundance
of live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants,
and other phytonutrients. Good nutrition is something
we all need.
Q: Your label indicates that
most nutrients are in very low quantities; yet you
state BARLEYGREEN supposedly contains most everything
we need. Please explain.
A: BG is nutritionally diverse. The
benefit of taking BG is that many of the nutrients
our bodies need can be found in BG. One must remember
that the value of consuming a whole food is in the
many nutrients working synergistically, making them
much more effective and available. It is the abundance
of the different vitamins, minerals, antioxidants,
live enzymes, and phytonutrients that make BG so
beneficial.
Q: What are enzymes good for?
A: Our bodies use enzymes for everything
ranging from digestion to regulating hormone production.
Without them our cells could not function and we
would die. Even though our bodies contain many enzymes,
most foods we eat are processed and cooked which
renders them virtually devoid of all enzymes. Our
bodies can obtain enzymes from raw, fresh vegetables.
BG is a source of hundreds of live enzymes which
our bodies can readily absorb.
Q: How do you protect the enzymes?
A: We protect our enzymes in two ways.
First, we make sure that we do not raise the temperature
over that of body heat in our processing This prevents
the enzymes from being damaged or "denatured."
Secondly, Dr. Hagiwara discovered that Maltodextrin,
a complex carbohydrate derived from starch, protects
the enzymes at a molecular level, preventing them
from breaking down and becoming oxidized. The end
result is that BARLEYGREEN has hundreds of active
enzymes equivalent to what would be found in fresh
barley juice.
Q: Is it safe to consume the
Maltodextrin in BARLEYGREEN if I am diabetic?
A: Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate,
not a simple sugar. It releases energy slowly and
will not raise sugar levels. BARLEYGREEN does not
contain any simple sugars. However, as with any
medical condition, we recommend that you consult
your doctor or health care practitioner.
Q: Can I use BG as a meal replacement?
A: Even though BG is abundant in nutrients,
it is not intended to be a meal replacement. It
should be considered a supplement and as part of
the overall diet.
Q: Can I take BG with other GFC
products?
A: Absolutely. Many people mix Green
Foods products together into one drink.
Q: Why is kelp added to BG?
A: Barleygreen includes kelp for additional
minerals and vitamins. Minerals are necessary cofactors
for practically all enzymatic reactions in the body
and, while barley grass is rich in minerals, kelp
adds even more trace minerals to ensure an abundant
supply of these necessary enzymatic cofactors for
optimal metabolism.
Q: What are the benefits of kelp?
A: There is an anecdote that around
2200 years ago in the Ch'in Dynasty Era of China,
the Emperor Shin-Huang-Ti, who compiled the basis
of Chinese Traditional Medicine, ordered his own
envoy to look for medicinal elixirs in Japan. His
envoy found and returned with an medicinal elixir
that we know today as kelp. The Japanese have been
eating kelp in their daily diet for many generations
but it wasnt until recently that they have
shared the secret of its health benefits.
Kelp is type of algae that contains
abundant vitamins (A,B,C, etc.) and minerals (iodine,
iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper,
etc.). Since Japan is filled with volcanic ashes,
and the vegetables grown on such a land generally
lack minerals, the Japanese found that they had
to utilize ocean alga in order to stay healthy.
Kelp has also been found to be beneficial for brain
and spinal cord function, and for blood circulation.
Also, due to its iodine content, it may help to
normalize thyroid function.
Q: Is maltodextrin bad?
A: No, actually it is the maltodextrin
that makes our product so special. Dr. Hagiwara
selected it after years of research because he discovered
that he was able to protect enzymes at the molecular
level by adding maltodextrin to the barley juice.
In addition it isnt a simple sugar or filler
but a complex carbohydrate that has a slow energy
release, making it ideal for people who are concerned
with elevating their blood sugar levels.
Q: BARLEYGREEN makes me feel
so energetic. Does it contain any caffeine?
A: No, BG is made from barley juice
extract and contains no caffeine. Numerous customers
have given us testimonies of increased energy. BG
is very nutritious and provides your body with raw
materials that can be converted into energy naturally
- unlike caffeine which simply gives one a temporary
energy lift.
Q: How much sugar is in BG?
A: BG does not contain any simple
sugars or sweeteners.
Q: How many carbohydrates does
BG contain?
A: In a 6g serving, there are 4 g
of total carbohydrate.
Q: Is BG okay to take at the
same time as my multivitamins?
A: Yes, BARLEYGREEN will not hinder
the absorption of the multivitamin. In fact, many
nutrients are known to work together synergistically;
nutrients utilized in conjunction with one another
may have a more beneficial effect than if taken
in isolated.
Q: Is there a difference between
BG USA and BG Original?
A: Both are nutritionally identical
with the only difference being that BG Original
is imported from and grown in Japan, while BG USA
is grown and processed in an identical fashion at
our facility in Oxnard, California.
Q: Is there a difference between
BG tablets and BG powder?
A: Both are identical except that
because the powder form is instantly soluble, it
will be assimilated more rapidly than the tablets
and some digestion of the soluble powder may occur
in the mouth and esophagus as well.
Q: How long does BG retain its
value?
A: BARLEYGREEN, like all our products,
has a shelf life of 3 years.
Q: Will I have an allergic reaction
to the barley in BARLEYGREEN?
A: No. The powdered juice is taken
from the leaves, it is the gluten content in corn,
wheat, and barley grain which causes allergies.
None of the ingredients in BARLEYGREEN contain gluten.
Q: Will BARLEYGREEN stay fresh
after opening?
A: Yes. The maltodextrin acts as a
protective carrier to keep the barley grass from
oxidizing or spoiling, which preserves the integrity
of these elements until dissolved and released in
liquid.
Q: Why is BARLEYGREEN so green?
A: The "green" is from chlorophyll.
Barley grass has one of the highest, natural, rich
chlorophyll contents of all the green vegetables.
In fact, Barley Grass has 66 times more chlorophyll
than spinach.
Q: How many calories in BARLEYGREEN?
A: BARLEYGREEN has 20 calories per
serving.
Q: What are antioxidants? What
do they do?
A: Antioxidants are properties in
certain nutrients which have been proven by research
to help defend against "free radicals."
Free radicals are unstable molecules which may cause
chemical reactions thought to be responsible for
damaging cells, thus causing them to function improperly.
The result may be diseases such as cancer, arthritis,
heart disease, and many others. Antioxidants neutralize
these free radicals and thus help to preserve our
bodys cells.
Q: If I take BARLEYGREEN, should
I also take other supplements?
A: If desired. BARLEYGREEN provides
all the whole food goodness you need provided you
eat nutritious meals. Each individual should consider
his or her own body and its needs and supplement
accordingly.
Q: Can I use BARLEYGREEN as a
prenatal supplement?
A: Yes, BG provides such a rich balance
of all the nutrients that it is equivalent to a
whole salad of dark green vegetables. Forty-five
percent of its weight is in polypeptide (lightweight)
proteins. It is excellent for you and your unborn
baby.
Q: Where should I store BARLEYGREEN?
A: As BARLEYGREEN should be kept away
from moisture and sunlight, it should be stored
in its own jar in your cupboard with the lid fastened
securely. We do not recommend storing BG in the
refrigerator where condensation could cause nutrients
to oxidize and break down.
Q: Will BARLEYGREEN upset my
stomach?
A: No, BG is mildly alkaline, which
pH balances the acidic stomach juices. This can
aid in settling the stomach.
Q: What does the chlorophyll
do?
A: The chlorophyll content of BG is
a natural detoxifier and rids the intestines of
stored toxins. Because it is a natural detoxifier,
it also aids in reducing bad breath.
Q: Is there a difference in the
chlorophyll you buy as a supplement versus chlorophyll
you obtain from natural sources like BARLEYGREEN?
A: Yes. It is impossible to isolate
naturally occurring chlorophyll. Therefore, those
supplements containing chlorophyll are not in the
same form as one finds in live plants. BARLEYGREEN
is an excellent way to obtain chlorophyll in its
natural state.
Q: Can I use BARLEYGREEN for
fasting?
A: Yes, BG is the perfect "food"
for fasting. The protein content and complex carbohydrates
provide stamina and energy for the bodys systems.
Q: What does a detoxifier do
and how might this affect me?
A: A detoxifier "leaches"
the toxins or poisons that have been stored within
the body by releasing them into the fluid stores
of the body (blood, urine, perspiration, etc.).
When detoxifying, you should drink plenty of water
to dilute the released toxins for elimination. You
may experience gas bubbles, skin rash, itchiness,
and muscle tightness, which are all signs of poisons
exiting the body. After one to two weeks, the system
should be cleansed and the skin and internal body
should look and feel great!
Q: Can I make up a large amount
of BARLEYGREEN and keep it in the refrigerator?
A: No, live nutrients are released
when BG is mixed with the proper liquids and should
be taken no more than 20 minutes or so after preparation.
When live nutrients are no longer protected either
by fiber or by maltodextrin, they will begin to
oxidize and "die." BARLEYGREEN should
be taken immediately after preparation in order
to receive the maximum amount of nutritional benefit.
Q: Will taking BARLEYGREEN after
or with meals hinder its effectiveness?
A: You can drink BG anytime, but we
suggest you take it alone so that your body can
assimilate the full benefits of its properties quickly
and easily without other foods being present to
slow this process.
Q: Is the barley organically
grown?
A: Yes, we grow our barley without
any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. We are certified
organic and we reuse all water and vegetable residue
as natural mulch for our fields.
Q: What are the Hot and Cold
Water tests?
A: These two simple tests indicate
if a product contains fiber (Cold Water Test) and
viable proteins (Hot Water Test). The Cold Water
Test: Place one-half teaspoon of either BARLEYGREEN
or a competitors product in a glass of cold
water and stir. Observe after a few minutes. BARLEYGREEN
will remain dissolved and the water will appear
uniform while a competitors product containing
fiber or insoluble substances will have settling
at the bottom of the glass. The Hot Water Test:
Sprinkle one-half teaspoon of either BARLEYGREEN
or a competitors product into a glass of very
hot water and stir gently for a couple of seconds.
BARLEYGREEN will clump up because the shapes of
the living enzymes are being changed by heat for
the first time, whereas the competitors product
will disperse and not clump up because the enzymes
have already been "denatured" by heat
and do not change shape when heated again.
Q: If I take other supplements
along with BARLEYGREEN, will I overdose on vitamins?
A: No, BARLEYGREEN is a whole food
extract and as such is compatible with any supplements
you are taking. Generally, whole foods do not contain
excessive amounts of any particular nutrient. However,
individuals should consider their needs for supplements
accordingly.
Q: Will BARLEYGREEN stay fresh
after opening?
A: The maltodextrin is added to live
nutrients as a protective carrier to keep them from
oxidizing or spoiling, which preserves the integrity
of these elements until they are dissolved in liquid.
Q: Will BARLEYGREEN cause diarrhea
or constipation?
A: BARLEYGREEN will help rebuild healthy
intestinal flora and therefore may have a positive
effect on regularity and gas. BARLEYGREEN has traditionally
been used to promote regularity and does not cause
constipation.
Q: Does BARLEYGREEN contain digestive
enzymes?
A: Yes, BARLEYGREEN contains many
enzymes including digestive enzymes such as amylase.
Q: Do you rotate your fields?
A: Yes, generally after 1-2 years.
Green beans are grown in the fields during the summer
to add nitrogen to the soil.
Q: Is BARLEYGREEN okay to take
if I have kidney problems?
A: We know of no reason not to but
always check with a health practitioner regarding
medical conditions.
Q: Where in the digestive tract
is BARLEYGREEN assimilated?
A: Assimilation begins in the mouth,
and continues in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines,
i.e. all along the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Q: How fast should I drink BARLEYGREEN?
A: We recommend that you sip BARLEYGREEN
in order to increase absorption by mouth, esophagus
and the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Q: Are all of Green Foods
products alkaline (important for people with esophageal
problems including acid reflux and hiatal hernias)?
A: Yes, relative to the pH of the
stomach, all of our products are alkaline, ranging
from pH 7.0-7.5.
Q: What is Carrot Essence good
for?
A: Beta Carrot provides you with Beta-Carotene,
which is necessary for your body to produce vitamin
A. It is the equivalent of receiving the same nutrition
you would be getting from two fresh carrots. In
addition we have added acerola from the acerola
cherry, which is the most potent form of naturally
occurring vitamin C.
Q: What is Wheat Germ Essence
good for?
A: Wheat Germ Essence is a highly
concentrated wheat germ powder that provides in
just one serving 120% of the daily requirement for
natural vitamin E and Thiamin, as well as an abundance
of other B vitamins. Unlike other wheat products
that spoil in a short period of time, Wheat Germ
Essence has a three-year shelf life and can also
be used for teas, in cereals and other hot foods
to replace those nutrients lost in modern food processing.
Q: Is Vibrant Woman good for
hot flashes?
A: Customers have reported that Vibrant
Woman helps to reduce or eliminate hot flashes.
The combination of Chinese herbs in Vibrant Woman
are an ancient Chinese herbal prescription and have
been specially selected by Dr. Hagiwara to ameliorate
this problem.
Q: What is the difference between
Vibrant Women, Ageless Energy and BARLEYGREEN?
A: In addition to all the benefits
of BARLEYGREEN, these two products have been specially
formulated to meet the needs of women and adults
of all ages. We have added herbs as well as calcium
to help meet their specific nutritional needs.