Colitis dietary supplement

September 21, 2007 9:45 AM

With a recent diagnosis of mild colitis, I am pursuing some alternative treatments. One of these is a supplement called Germinated Barley Foodstuff, but I have been unable to find it for purchase after extensive google searches. Any MeFi expertise out there?
posted by bluesky43 to health (10 comments total)

"Germinated Barley" is known as "malt" and it's used to make beer.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 11:09 AM on September 21, 2007

I apologize for responding with a question, but, by colitis, do you mean Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Some older doctors still call IBS "colitis", even though that's not the current term.
posted by acoutu at 11:14 AM on September 21, 2007

Acoutu - not irritable bowel syndrome but inflammatory bowel disease.
posted by bluesky43 at 11:57 AM on September 21, 2007

To continue in answering your question, you can buy it dried in bags at brewing supply stores (and probably online, too). But I don't think you'll like how it tastes. It's really dreadful stuff.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 1:47 PM on September 21, 2007

Thanks Steven C.! This explains why some of the research has been sponsored or conducted by Kirin Breweries. Apparently, they market the stuff in Japan but I haven't been able to find a Canadian or US source. I will check out some brewing supply stores . Thanks again.
posted by bluesky43 at 4:11 PM on September 21, 2007

Bluesky43, thanks for clarifying. I have IBD and wasn't aware of this natural treatment. I am guessing that you are in Canada, since you mentioned that you couldn't find it in the US. If you are in BC, you might try Capers. They will often order stuff in. In fact, your local health food store manager may be willing to order it for you. Failing that, you might ask your GI at your next appointment. Some know where to find this sort of thing. You could also email the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Canada and ask if they know where to find it.
posted by acoutu at 6:51 PM on September 21, 2007

You might want to keep in mind that a relatively high proportion of IBD suffers also have wheat intolerance or gluten sensitivity (I think it's about 10 percent but it could be more) and barley malt contains gluten. I know nothing about its' efficacy as a supplement otherwise and it's still pretty likely that you don't fall into this category. Just keep a good track of your symptoms over the first week or two of taking it (things to look our for include bloating and nausea, look up coeliac disease for more details), and possibly don't buy a large amount of the stuff to start with in case you are sensitive.

Also apparently the germinated barley forms wort (when mixed with water I think), which is then boiled down to make malt. So that might be closer to what you're looking for or at least another word to use in your search.
posted by shelleycat at 8:02 PM on September 21, 2007

you know, there has got to be a brew-your-own-beer supplier around you. they'll be able to hook you up with malt.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:31 PM on September 21, 2007

You could germinate barley and toast the sprouts , might be good sprinkled on a salad.
posted by hortense at 9:56 PM on September 21, 2007

[Shellycat, you have your terms swapped. Wort is unfermented beer. Malt plus water plus hops plus boiling == wort.]
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 11:08 PM on September 21, 2007