Green tea catechins

Green tea catechins shown to shrink cancerous tumors in humans

(NaturalNews) Natural health advocates have understood and demonstrated the potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of green tea consumption for decades. The Chinese have brewed the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant for more than 5,000 years to benefit human health. Catechins such as epigallocatechin 3-gallate or EGCG are gaining prominent attention as they have been shown to halt cancerous tumor growth and improve arterial elasticity to promote cardiovascular health.

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, publishing in the journal Nanomedicine have determined that EGCG extracted from green tea could be a powerful weapon in treatments for tackling cancer. The scientists developed a proprietary method for delivering the natural compound directly to tumor cells and found that nearly two-thirds of the tumors it was delivered to either shrank or disappeared within one month. The treatment displayed no side effects to normal tissues.

EGCG from green tea effectively shrinks or eliminates existing tumors in humans

This research is significant because it is believed to be the first time that this type of treatment has made cancerous tumors shrink or vanish in response to a therapy based on a totally natural compound. The lead study author, Dr. Christine Dufes noted "These are very encouraging results which we hope could pave the way for new and effective cancer treatments."

To conduct the study, the scientists encapsulated the green tea extract in vesicles that also carried transferrin, a plasma protein that transports iron through the blood. Transferrin receptors are found in large amounts in many cancers, and are known to be a viable target for many cancer therapies. Testing EGCG on two different types of skin cancer, researchers found 40 percent of both types of tumors vanished, while 30 percent of one and 20 percent of another shrank. A further 10 percent of one of the types was stabilized.

Dr. Dufes concluded "The green tea extract reduced the size of many of the tumors every day, in some cases removing them altogether... these are very encouraging results which we hope could pave the way for new and effective cancer treatments." There is no doubt that EGCG catechins from green tea are important to human health. EGCG can be consumed through standardized encapsulated supplements or by drinking two to four fresh-brewed cups of green tea daily to dramatically lower the risk of many cancer lines and to shield against an array of chronic illnesses.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22891867
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-08/uos-gtc082212.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120822071433.htm

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037187_green_tea_catechins_cancerous_tumors.html#ixzz26YTdTA00

Green tea

Green tea shown to fight obesity

(NaturalNews) Pennsylvania State University researchers have discovered yet another impressive property of green tea - it can slow down weight gain and counter obesity. This recent study analyzed the health development of a test group of obese mice that were fed a high-fat diet mixed with green tea extracts, and compared it to that of a control group of obese mice that were fed the same diet, without the green tea compounds. The mice in the test group gained weight at a much slower rate than the mice in the control group, and they appeared to be in better health overall.



Assistant professor of food science in agricultural sciences, Joshua Lambert, who was part of this research, explained that "in this experiment, we see the rate of body weight gain slows down."

Green tea is believed to have originated in China, although many Asian cultures traditionally prepare and consume this type of tea. It is produced from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have only undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea has the highest content of antioxidants among commonly consumed foods and beverages, and that is why it has consistently attracted scientific attention over the last few decades.

Green tea can also provide the body with considerable amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, and trace elements (including chromium, manganese, selenium and zinc). Both animal and human studies have revealed that green tea has the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and to help with the prevention of tooth decay by improving bone quality and density, as well as to fight against different forms of cancer.

The study recently conducted at Penn State had the test mice on a high-fat diet enriched with Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (or EGCG), which is an important compound found in green tea that is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. These mice gained weight at a 45% slower rate than the control group of mice, who were on the same high-fat diet.

The mechanism of action is believed to be linked to how the body absorbs fats. The analysis of fecal matter from the test mice revealed that they eliminated 30% more lipids than the mice in the control group, which implies that green tea may reduce lipid absorption.

Assistant professor Lambert explained: "[T]here seems to be two prongs to this. First, EGCG reduces the ability to absorb fat and, second, it enhances the ability to use fat." Moreover, green tea had no impact whatsoever on appetite, as both groups of mice consumed roughly equal amounts of food. To match the EGCG quantities used in the study, a normal person would have to drink around 10 cups of green tea per day; however, Lambert assures us that only a few cups per day may also help obese individuals control body weight.

He also added that although his study was conducted on mice, "human data, and there's not a lot at this point, shows that tea drinkers who only consume one or more cups a day will see effects on body weight compared to nonconsumers."

Assistant professor Lambert's team included Kimberly Grove and Sudathip Sae-tan, who are both graduate students in food science, as well Mary Kennett, professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences. The study was featured in the online version of the journal Obesity, and it is supported by the National Institute for Health.

The science team pointed out that although green tea interferes with lipid absorption in individuals of all body weights, its impact is more noticeable when used with overweight individuals who want to shake off extra pounds.

[Editor`s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Sources for this article include:

http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0020/ea0020P470.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004123824.htm
http://www.greentealibrary.com/GT%20&%20Obesity%20-Article.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16470636

About the author

Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. In 2010, Michelle created RawFoodHealthWatch.com, to share with people her approach to the raw food diet and detoxification.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033894_green_tea_obesity.html#ixzz1yv7H27tn