| -> | | | | news. There is evidence to suggest that not only |
| Cancer is one of our country's most frightening | | | | might green tea prevent cancer, but might also |
| diseases. One million Americans will be diagnosed | | | | be an effective treatment for cancer. Recent |
| with cancer this year, and about 300 people will | | | | studies have shown that tea - green and black - |
| die from it each and every day. Scientists | | | | appear to slow the progression of cancer cells. |
| continue scrambling for understanding into what | | | | This particular study was done on prostate and |
| causes cancer, so that we can prevent it. In | | | | pancreatic cancer cells. The cells were treated in |
| addition, work is ongoing to find effective ways | | | | vitro with extracts from green and black tea. The |
| of treating this disease. | | | | cells were exposed to tea extracts for a period |
| In recent years, there have been quite a few | | | | of 24 hours. The growth of the cancer cells was |
| studies on green tea and its cancer preventing | | | | inhibited by as much as 90% during the period of |
| characteristics. These studies are fueled by | | | | exposure to the tea. |
| examination of Asian cultures, where green tea is | | | | In addition to these exciting results, this study also |
| part of everyday life, and where the incidences of | | | | suggested that green and black tea may inhibit |
| heart disease, stroke and cancer are far lower | | | | the expression of the gene known as MDR-1. |
| than here in the US. Asian cultures have | | | | MDR-1 stands for multi-drug resistant gene. This |
| understood for many years that green tea is | | | | gene expresses a drug resistant substance into |
| effective in slowing down the aging process and | | | | the tumor cells that diminishes the effect that |
| preventing and treating disease. | | | | treatment has on the cells. |
| All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant; | | | | This study found that during the 24 hour period |
| white tea, green tea and black tea all come from | | | | when the cells were exposed to the tea extracts, |
| this same source. The differences are a result of | | | | the amount of MDR-1 expressed by the cancer |
| how the tea is processed. Green and white tea is | | | | cells was decreased. This leads us to the |
| not fermented during processing, but black tea is | | | | conclusion that using green tea in conjunction with |
| fermented. This fermentation process chemically | | | | traditional cancer treatments may increase the |
| changes the natural anti-oxidants that tea | | | | effectiveness of the cancer drugs. There have |
| contains. | | | | been other studies, as well, that have indicated |
| While even after fermentation, tea is quite | | | | that cancer drugs are more effective when they |
| healthy; it is the anti-oxidants in their most natural | | | | are administered along with green tea. |
| form that seem to have the best anti-aging and | | | | Of course, as with many other findings, more |
| disease fighting qualities. In particular, the catechins | | | | research is needed before we fully understand |
| EGCG is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants | | | | the benefits that might be gained from using tea |
| you can consume. | | | | to prevent and treat cancer. Most importantly, |
| Anti-oxidants are important to us because they | | | | many of these studies that have only been |
| combat free radicals that are naturally created by | | | | conducted on mice or in test tubes need human |
| our body during the digestion process. These free | | | | trials. Only then will we truly understand how lab |
| radicals must be eliminated or they will damage | | | | findings might translate into real treatment and |
| our cells and our DNA. A deficiency in anti-oxidants | | | | prevention options. |
| allows these free radicals to rule, causing us to | | | | One thing's for sure, though; there is no downside |
| age more quickly and develop diseases like cancer | | | | to incorporating tea into your diet. Green tea, in |
| and heart disease. | | | | particular, is refreshing, healthy and filled with |
| So, a diet rich in anti-oxidants has been shown | | | | anti-oxidants. It is a healthier alternative to that |
| effective in preventing cancer and heart disease, | | | | morning cup of coffee, because it has a high |
| lowering cholesterol and reducing your risk of | | | | anti-oxidant level and because it is significantly |
| having a stroke. Doctors recommend that we eat | | | | lower in caffeine than coffee. |
| a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables for their | | | | Green tea is a wonderful way to help prevent |
| anti-oxidant effects; however, we are now | | | | aging and disease. Adding green tea to your diet is |
| learning that one of the best ways to get your | | | | a simple and effective way to improve your |
| daily dose of anti-oxidants is through drinking | | | | health and chances of living to a ripe old age. As |
| green tea. | | | | the research evolves, there's no doubt that we'll |
| As great as this news is for the prospects of | | | | gain greater insight into exactly how green tea |
| preventing cancer, there is even more exciting | | | | works and how we can best use its power. |