Second article of interest...and hopefully of help but this is not a medical post..just interesting
Green Tea Boosts Production of Detox Enzymes to Defend Against Breast Cancer Concentrated chemicals derived from green tea dramatically boosted production of a group of key detoxification enzymes in people with low levels of these beneficial proteins, according to researchers at Arizona Cancer Center. These findings, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, suggest that a green tea concentrate might help some people strengthen their metabolic defense against toxins capable of causing cancer.
In a study of 42 people, the concentrate - composed of chemicals known as green tea catechins in amounts equal to that found in 8-16 cups of green tea - boosted production of the enzymes, which belong to the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family, by as much as 80 percent in some participants.
GST enzymes are believed to be crucial to the body’s defense against cancer-causing chemicals and other toxins, according to the study’s lead investigator, H.-H. Sherry Chow, Ph.D., a research associate professor at the University of Arizona. They modify the cancer-causing molecules that would otherwise damage cellular DNA, thus rendering them inert.
“They actually convert known carcinogens to non-toxic chemicals, and studies have shown a correlation between deficient expression of these enzymes and increased risk of developing some cancers,” Chow said.
“Expression of this enzyme varies dramatically in people due to genetic variation and environmental factors,” Chow added. “Green tea catechins somehow increase gene expression of these enzymes, which can be an advantage to people with low levels to start with.”
Green tea has long been of interest to researchers given studies that have shown populations in which it is often consumed, such as the Chinese and Japanese, generally have lower rates of cancer. To find out if green tea can protect against cancer, the NCI has sponsored a number of rigorous scientific studies testing capsules of the extract, Polyphenon E, that have been prepared in Japan to meet exact specifications. These pills contain epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin known for its potent antioxidant activity, and are currently being tested against a variety of cancers in clinical trials.
This study was designed to see if green tea catechin concentrate had any effect on the levels of GST enzymes in healthy individuals - research that could explain the tea’s anti-cancer properties. Healthy volunteers were asked to abstain from consuming any tea or tea-related products for four weeks. At the end of this “washout period,” blood was drawn and baseline GST enzyme levels were determined for each participant. Then, the volunteers were asked to take four Polyphenon E capsules, for a total of 800 milligrams of EGCG, each morning on an empty stomach for four weeks and to abstain from drinking tea or eating many cruciferous vegetables, which contain other beneficial chemicals. Another blood sample was taken after four weeks, and GST activity was determined. Researchers found that use of Polyphenon E enhanced GST activity when data from all participants were included for analysis. But it had its most significant effect in volunteers whose baseline blood measurements showed low GST activity - an 80 percent increase compared to baseline GST activity. Activity did not change in volunteers with medium GST expression, or in those with the highest levels, GST seemed to decrease slightly although researchers believe that decline was due to random variation.
“This is the first clinical study to show proof that chemicals in green tea can increase detoxification enzymes in humans,” Chow said. “There may be other mechanism in play by which green tea may protect against cancer development, but this is a good place to start.”
Source - Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, August 2007 American Association for Cancer Research
I was told by my oncologist when I was diagnosed with secondaries to drink green tea and although I didn't like the taste of it to start with I do drink it quite a bit and, amazingly, have got used to it!
The reason I was told to drink it was as a cleanser/detoxifier for my liver
I tend to buy mine from our chinese supermarket as loose tea not in tea-bags. Who knows whether it works or not.....
Pinkdove aren't you amazed at this article? it sounds very promising am drinking green tea and honey - cold like lemonade and am drinking concord grape juice and cranberry mixture...both are very good for you so instead of drinking straight water all the time thought I'd try it....
When I was first dx I read a snippet that said that women with ovarian cancer who drank at least one cup of green tea a day were 40% less likely to get a recurrence. As ovarian & breast cancer are often related I decided to go for it. Since then I have read in 'Foods to Fight Cancer' that there are cancer fighting chemicals in green tea, and it is best to drink the good Japanese stuff (I drink Sencha & Gyokoru, get it loose from Whittards), and to brew it for up to 10 minutes.
To begin with I didn't care for it, but now I really enjoy it, and drink it regularly. I use teabags at work, and loose tea properly brewed, at home. I try to alternate with my normal tea.
roadrunner I can try that. I am easing my way into green tea with the made up stuff, Arizona Green Tea & Honey - but as I get acclimated to the tea, will try the brewed stuff and chill it.
I have a jar in the cupboard given as a gift, never tried it. I'm doing chemo at the moment so I guess I'd best check with the onc but interesting reading, thanks.
hI I struggled to drink the tea but was taking a capsule once a day of green tea extract before dx and this really did cleanse the system. I have not taken it during chemo as I seem to be weeing for England and the tea has a simular effect on me. I got my capsules from Holland and Barrett they were really good for sore boobs before the peiods as well - just remembered that bit.
am finding with taxotare, the taste of the ginger is off somehow. can't drink it nonstop like I used to. so will ask my onc re the capsules..that might do the trick.
can still drink the concord grape juice though but I suspect cause its mixed wiht cranberry.
Green tea also tastes nice mixed with peppermint. I make a pot using all organic tea bags - one green tea, one peppermint and one Yogi "Detox." The taste is great, I let it steep for a long time to get the most out of the herbs.
I've read that you should let the kettle cool a bit before pouring the boiled water onto the tea bags - if the water is too hot it can destroy the anti-oxidants in the tea.
Didn't know that bit about not pouring boiling water onto teabags - will let it cool down a bit in future. I drink mine with honey because that's also meant to be good for you. Remember the days when you just ate and drank whatever you fancied!!!
Hi Val, Yes I do remember, but I eat a lot better now so I'd rather forget my old diet!
Honey is, as you say, supposed to be good for you, and I've read that Manuka honey is best, it's from New Zealand. Some people say the best honey to eat is whatever is most local to where you live.
I've bought some green tea with lemon, produced by the fair trading company Clipper. I bought it in Boots. I didn't like plain green tea, but find this one very refreshing!
I just couldn't get used to the taste of green tea, usual tipple is black earl grey. So I bought the green tea tablets from Healthspan - all the benefits with none of the taste!