Lester A. Mitscher and Victoria Toews
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 The following chapters will cover these antioxidant-related benefits of green tea in more detail.
CHAPTER 4
Cancer Prevention in the Teapot
¦ ancer is the largest single cause of death in both men and
% * women, claiming more than six million lives each year worldwide. In fact, more than 1,500 people die every single day in the United States from cancer, while another 3,700 learn that they have this disease. Scientists agree that nearly all individuals develop undetectable cancer about six times in a seventy-year life span. |
| As we'll see in this chapter, green tea can be a healthful addition for women throughout their life span. (See the inset on page 126, however, for a caution about caffeine.)
... FOR STRONG BONES
Throughout most of the stages of its development, osteoporosis is an invisible disease. It progresses without any obvious symptoms until irreversible pain, loss of height, change in posture, and bone fractures make it all too obvious. Osteoporosis develops when bones become overly porous and brittle from the loss of calcium and other minerals. |
| Maintaining healthy colonies of beneficial bacteria is very important to good digestive health. green tea promotes a healthy digestive tract by altering the intestinal environment to make it favorable to the growth of the friendly bacteria and less favorable to the growth of undesirable bacteria. If potentially harmful bacteria proliferate unchecked by friendly bacteria, the chances are greater that a species of bacteria will grow to sufficient numbers to influence bowel health—causing either diarrhea or constipation. |
| The influenza virus is also rendered inactive by green tea's polyphenols. Researchers at the National Institute of Health, Tokyo, Japan, discovered that EGCG binds with the flu virus, thereby preventing it from causing an infection. This is a very promising discovery, since influenza causes many deaths throughout the world. A study of mice demonstrated the anti-influenza action of polyphenols in animals. When one group of mice was infected with the influenza virus, all died within ten days. |
| Tea, and green tea in particular, is also an impressive source of fluoride—the mineral well known for fighting cavities. The water used in brewing tea as a beverage also contributes to its mineral content.
Some health-care providers warn people against drinking tea if they are taking iron supplements (in the non-hemic ferrous salt form), since early research suggested that the tea could interfere with the absorption of iron, and possibly other minerals. But this concern appears to be unfounded. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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 Based on this evidence, many consider green tea to be healthful, and many Japanese drink large quantities of it. green tea extracts sold as supplements in the U.S. are promoted as having cancer-prevention properties. One study that examined the risk of stomach cancer in Japanese men found that drinking green tea conferred no protective effect. |
Lester A. Mitscher and Victoria Toews
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| According to Dr. Michael Hertog from the National Institute of Public and
Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, the Netherlands, the greater the intake of flavonoids, the lesser the risk of heart disease in these men. The mortality rates from heart disease varied greatly between the seven countries in this study, and the differences in flavonoid intake accounted for one-quarter of these differences.5
As an extension of the Seven Countries Study, Dr. Hertog conducted a more in-depth analysis of the Netherlands arm of the study. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
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 FACTOIP
Oolong tea, a Chinese tea somewhere between green tea and black tea in terms of oxidation, doesn't have the bitter, grassy taste of typical green tea. Oolong contains polyphenols, which have been shown to help control body fat by improving the metabolism of nutritional fat. One study showed that those who drank two cups of it a day had two and a half times the calorie-burning rate of those who drank traditional green tea. A surefire weight-loss method? It's still in early research stages, but the results are indeed promising. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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| The authors found a significant inverse correlation between consumption of green tea and death from all causes (more green tea, fewer deaths) and death from heart disease (but not cancer).24 This study was an observational study, however, and it may be that green-tea drinkers do other things that are good for their health and it is not the green tea itself that is helpful. |
| Based on this evidence, many consider green tea to be healthful, and many Japanese drink large quantities of it. green tea extracts sold as supplements in the U.S. are promoted as having cancer-prevention properties. One study that examined the risk of stomach cancer in Japanese men found that drinking green tea conferred no protective effect. |
Dr. Sharon Moalem
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 A Rutgers University professor named Ming Zhu Fang has studied the effect of green tea on human cell lines. He's found that compounds in green tea inhibit the placement of methyl markers on genes that help to fight colon, prostate, and esophageal cancer. Methylation of those genes would take them out of the cancer suppression business—by inhibiting their methylation, green tea keeps them in the anticancer fight. |
Mike Adams
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 The Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements
Personally, I recommend green tea tincture, since it offers the most quickly available form of green tea compounds and is likely to start protecting you sooner than green tea capsules. As with many of the supplements mentioned here, you can find a high-quality tincture at http://www. JennyLeeNaturals.com. green tea is also available at health food stores and vitamin suppliers.
2. Get plenty of antioxidants with your meals if you eat bacon or other processed meats. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 If taking green tea supplements reduce the risk of cancer by that same 50 percent, eliminating cancer in one out of 100 patients, the news about that supplement would be something like this: "Green tea doesn’t work. Only helps one out of 100 patients."
In fact, a study comparing some anti-cancer drug with green tea might report: "New breakthrough drug reduces cancer risk by 50 percent! green tea only helps one out of 100."
It’s the old joke about an Olympic race between the United States and the old Soviet Union. In the race, there were only two participants. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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 The researchers found beneficial effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) and S-allyl cysteine (SAC) on Abeta-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in a rat cell line.
The green tea Polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate Attenuates Beta-Amy-loid-Induced Neurotoxicity in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons. Choi YT; Jung CH. Life Sciences, 2001 December, 21:70(5):603-614.
Green tea polyphenols have protective effects against betaA-induced neuronal apoptosis, which may be beneficial for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Oxidative Stress and Alzheimer Disease. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Actually, it tastes like spearmint and it has a green tea taste to it, although green tea is not a predominant ingredient of the product. Even when you smell it, it actually smells like chocolate.
Mike: Yes.
Lovejoy: It's very interesting and when you mix it just with water. It tastes great. It has that spearmint green tea taste and it's really because of the spices and herbs that are wonderful for our bodies.
Mike: Let's talk about the ingredients that you have in this product. First, we have the greens group. |
Mike Adams
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| For example, when human volunteers ingested green tea along with 300 milligrams sodium nitrate and 300 milligrams proline, nitrosoproline formation was strongly inhibited. The popular custom of drinking green tea with meals in Japan may be a major reason for the low cancer rates there. With the cancer rate in the United States rising, more Americans might want to start drinking green tea with their meals.
- Michael T. Murray, N.D. |
Byron J. Richards, CCN
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 Green tea is a natural option to reduce both TNFa and NF kappaB.823 green tea modulates, in a positive manner, genetic signals that otherwise lead to an excess production of NF kappaB in breast-cancer cells.824 Therefore, green tea has the ability to help the body kill cancerous breast cells, while leaving healthy breast cells undamaged.825
Trans-resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in some red wines and available as a nutritional supplement, binds to estrogen receptors in breast tissue and interferes with cancer. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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| Actually, it tastes like spearmint and it has a green tea taste to it, although green tea is not a predominant ingredient of the product. Even when you smell it, it actually smells like chocolate.
Mike: Yes.
Lovejoy: It's very interesting and when you mix it just with water. It tastes great. It has that spearmint green tea taste and it's really because of the spices and herbs that are wonderful for our bodies.
Mike: Let's talk about the ingredients that you have in this product. First, we have the greens group. |
Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon
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 COCA-COLA LAUNCHES green tea BEVERAGE
In November 2006, Coca-Cola's Enviga green tea beverage hit the shelves. Enviga is a joint venture between Coke and Nestle. It is marketed as "The Calorie Burner" with the additional claim that it will burn an extra 60 to 100 calories per day. Are these claims true? Perhaps, but you have to look a little deeper to see at what price this effect comes.
Coke points to a single study of Enviga, undertaken in the University of Lausanne in collaboration with the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 The next ingredient is green tea extract, and my opinion on this ingredient is mixed. I think green tea is an outstanding herb for weight loss and it is also well documented as an anti-cancer herb. But there is caffeine in the green tea, and thus there's caffeine in the Trim Spa recipe. Caffeine is the only chemical compound I don't like in this formula. I certainly realize caffeine can be a very effective weight loss compound, because it boosts your metabolism. It's a chemical compound that excites the nervous system. |
Ben-Erik van Wyk
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 Uses & properties Tea is mostly consumed in western countries as black tea (with milk and sugar), while green tea (without milk or sugar) is popular in China and Japan. It is flavoured with essential oils (lemon, bergamot), dried flowers (jasmine) or spices (cinnamon, mint). Ice tea has become important in the cold drink industry. green tea is used in meat, fish and egg dishes, especially in China and Vietnam. Nutritional value Tea (especially green tea) is rich in phenolics with antioxidant effects. It also has stimulant properties (2-4% caffeine). |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 Green Tea
Caffeine-free green tea, green tea extract, and leaf tea are all available. green tea is rich in antioxidants and cancer-fighting, naturally occurring plant chemicals.
Hijiki
Pronounced hee-JEE-kee, it is a sea vegetable. It is a flavorful addition to soups and stews, dressings, and dips. Hijiki has a high mineral content, ten times more calcium by volume than milk, cheese, or other dairy products. It is also high in iron, protein, beta-carotene, Bi, and Bu. Available dried, this black seaweed has a slight anise character and nutty aroma. |
Dr. Sharon Moalem
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| He's found that compounds in green tea inhibit the placement of methyl markers on genes that help to fight colon, prostate, and esophageal cancer. Methylation of those genes would take them out of the cancer suppression business—by inhibiting their methylation, green tea keeps them in the anticancer fight.
The same Duke team responsible for the original study of vitamin-triggered methylation in agouti mice has demonstrated a similar methylating effect from genistein, the estrogenlike compound found in soy. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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| I had green tea, which I drink all day. Radish has anticongestion energy that clears our senses and helps us think better and I wanted to add a sour taste to balance the hot, pungent and bitter. Lately I have been eating a lot of star fruit, which is slightly sour, but other people might want to have lemon. So we have green tea, ginger, radish, and something sour, like lemon. This helps balance and strengthen the digestion.
"The link between digestion and depression is very clear. When our digestion is weak, we can't process our foods, but neither can we process our emotions and our sadness. |
Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon
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| Green tea catechins at a dosage of 588mg per day produced an average weight loss of four pounds in one twelve-week study. green tea extract has been shown to reduce the formation of fat cells, increase the burning of fat for energy (not just heat), decrease fat absorption, and increase the levels of leptin and adiponectin. Supporting healthy liver function is critical in burning fat. Adding red pepper as well as garlic and ginger to your diet is a safe, natural way to support the liver. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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 Sip green tea once or twice a day. Try one of the many available varieties of green tea, which has strong antioxidant properties. A glass of red wine once a day is also heart healthy and full of antioxidants, as long as it doesn't interact with your medicines.
• Eat. . . chocolate? Dark chocolate has, in recent years, been found to be an excellent source of antioxidants—and may even directly lower blood pressure! Indulge with moderation, since it's the rare occasion when you'll consume chocolate without any sugar to temper its bitterness. |
| Sip green tea once or twice a day. Try one of the many available varieties of green tea, which has strong antioxidant properties. A glass of red wine once a day is also heart healthy and full of antioxidants, as long as it doesn't interact with your medicines.
?Eat. . . chocolate? Dark chocolate has, in recent years, been found to be an excellent source of antioxidants—and may even directly lower blood pressure! Indulge with moderation, since it's the rare occasion when you'll consume chocolate without any sugar to temper its bitterness. |
Dr. Steven R. Gundry
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 Roy Walford's (the longevity researcher who headed up Biosphere II) favorite example: We know that Japanese women are remarkably resistant to developing breast cancer; they also drink a lot of green tea. Many people have made the association between drinking green tea or its active ingredient, a catechin called ECGC, and cancer prevention. But not so fast. Japanese women also all have black hair. We could just as easily make the association that having black hair prevents breast cancer. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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| I am not ready to accept the results of this study, because people who drink green tea may be more health conscious in general, and this may have led to biased results. A double-blind randomized trial of green tea is needed.
Diet, Exercise, and Behavioral Approaches
Heart disease is an ailment of modern civilization and behavior—and one, therefore, that can be treated effectively and with dramatic results by making fairly simple lifestyle changes. People in African villages don't need bypass operations. |
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