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Green Tea Enhances Detox; VRP - Vitamin Research Project
Topic Started: Sep 25 2007, 10:14 AM (113 Views)
AloeGal
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Green Tea Component Enhances Detoxification
Breaking News
By VRP Staff
A new study has found that the green tea component epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) increases the activity of detoxification enzymes in people who have reduced activity of these compounds, potentially helping to escort toxins out of the body.

Past epidemiological studies have linked green tea consumption with a reduced risk of certain types of cancers in humans and scientists have theorized that this effect may be due to an ability to influence detoxification enzymes. Consequently, researchers conducted a clinical study to determine the effect of repeated green tea polyphenol administration on a major group of detoxification enzymes known as glutathione S-transferases (GST).

In the current study, supported by the National Cancer Institute, a total of 42 healthy volunteers underwent a 4-week washout period by refraining from tea or tea-related products. At the end of the washout period, the study authors collected a fasting blood sample and measured levels of GST activity. Following this baseline evaluation, the study participants consumed green tea polyphenols on an empty stomach for four weeks. The amount consumed (800 mg EGCG once a day) was equivalent to consuming between eight and 16 cups of green tea. After four weeks of green tea supplementation, researchers again collected blood samples and assessed levels of GST.

After four weeks of consuming EGCG, activity of the detoxification enzyme GST in blood lymphocytes increased. Further analysis revealed that a statistically significant increase in GST activity (80 percent) occurred in individuals who had the lowest activity at the start of the study. On the other hand, a small but statistically significant decrease in GST activity was observed in individuals who had the highest levels of the detoxification enzyme at the study’s start. The scientists attributed this decrease to random variation.

According to the researchers, “This suggests that green tea polyphenol intervention may enhance the detoxification of carcinogens in individuals with low baseline detoxification capacity.”

Reference:

Chow HHS, Hakim IA, DR Vining, Crowe JA, Tome ME, Ranger-Moore J, Cordova CA, Mikhael DM, Briehl MM, Alberts DS. Modulation of Human Glutathione S-Transferases by Polyphenon E Intervention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 August 1;16(8):1662–1666.
http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?page=LIST...ID=2157&zTYPE=2
Blessings,
AloeGal
You never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for....I would die for You. ~ Mercy Me
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Lannie
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However, too much of a good thing can be bad. I read something a while back that said that the green tea supplements (the capsules) taken over a period of time, produced nasty bad side effects and toxicity. I don't know if it's because they've pulled just a few things out of the green tea and put them in the capsules, or whether it's just too concentrated (I've not looked into the capsules at all), but drinking the tea itself is perfectly safe and healthy. I can't remember where I read that, but if I can find it again, I'll post it.

~Lannie
Far away, across the fields
The tolling of the island bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells
~~David Gilmour
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AloeGal
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I think I've heard this also. I do not take the pills, but the tea is good, if you get a good brand. I have found that Lipton's green tea is awful!!
Blessings,
AloeGal
You never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for....I would die for You. ~ Mercy Me
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