- Wheat germ is the nutrient-rich embryo of the wheat kernel, or seed. Wheat germ is high in protein and provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, iron, B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin E. The wheat germ constitutes approximately 2.5% of the total weight of the wheat kernel.
- Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE, Avemar pulvis) was invented by Hungarian biochemist Mate Hidvégi in the early 1990s. In the United States, FWGE is marketed as a dietary supplement, Avé®, by American BioSciences, Inc. (Blauvelt, NY). FWGE is manufactured as Avemar® in Hungary, where it is approved as a "medical nutriment" for cancer patients.
- Scientific evidence suggests that FWGE may have anticancer effects. FWGE may also improve immune function-associated conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
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- 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. View Abstract
- Barabas J, Nemeth Z. [Recommendation of the Hungarian Society for Face, Mandible and Oral Surgery in the indication of supportive therapy with Avemar]. Orv Hetil 2006;147(35):1709-1711. View Abstract
- Boros LG, Nichelatti M, Shoenfeld Y. Fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar) in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Ann NY Acad Sci 2005;1051:529-542. View Abstract
- 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. View Abstract
- Egészségügyi Tudományos Tanács Elnöksége. [Recommendation of the Health Sciences Council's Presidency regarding the legal prerequisites for the legal use of AVEMAR dietary supplement as a neoplastic agent]. Orv Hetil 2007;148(4):173. View Abstract
- Farkas E. The role of Avemar in oncology. A review. Magy Belorv 2004;(57):4-9.
- Garami M, Schuler D, Babosa M. Fermented wheat germ extract reduces chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2004;26(10):631-635. View Abstract
- Heimbach JT, Sebestyen G, Semjen G, et al. Safety studies regarding a standardized extract of fermented wheat germ. Int J Toxicol 2007;26(3):253-259. View Abstract
- Hidvegi M, Raso E, Tomoskozi-Farkas R, et al. MSC, a new benzoquinone-containing natural product with antimetastatic effect. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 1999;14(4):277-289. View Abstract
- Jakab F, Mayer A, Hoffmann A, et al. First clinical data of a natural immunomodulator in colorectal cancer. Hepatogastroenterology 2000;47(32):393-395. View Abstract
- 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. View Abstract
- Marcsek Z, Kocsis Z, Jakab M, et al. The efficacy of tamoxifen in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells is enhanced by a medical nutriment. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2004;19(6):746-753. View Abstract
- Minamiyama Y, Takemura S, Yoshikawa T, et al. Fermented grain products, production, properties and benefits to health. Pathophysiology. 2003;9(4):221-227. View Abstract
- 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. View Abstract
- Sukkar SG, Rossi E. Oxidative stress and nutritional prevention in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2004;3(3):199-206. View Abstract
Disclaimer: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
