Green Tea and Cancer

Green tea is very popular in alternative medicine circles. It is one of the most studied substances in the world of health beverages. Green tea has long been seen in the role of cancer prevention and in some cases a cancer treatment. An article in Medical News Today discusses a study that reveals how EGCG, a component of green tea, can disrupt the metabolism of cancer cells in pancreatic cancer. The researchers see green tea as a new approach to studying cancer prevention. 

In actuality, claims for the use of green tea for cancer prevention have been around for many years and many studies have been done on this topic. According to the National Cancer Institute the following substances in green tea, EGCG, EGC, ECG and EC, are polyphenols that have antioxidant activity that inhibit tumor cells from multiplying and induce cell death in lab and animal studies.  

The American Association for Cancer Research produced research findings in 2012 that show how green tea may work to prevent or slow down prostate and breast cancers. There is also some recent findings from Penn State University that link green tea with targeting oral cancer cells. 

While all this research looks promising, and certainly 2 cups of green tea a day probably will not hurt you, be sure to consult your doctor before using green tea for a cancer treatment. You may be able to use it as an adjunct along with your cancer treatment, but do consult your oncologist first.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277583.php
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet
http://news.psu.edu/story/342487/2015/01/28research/green-tea-ingredient-may-target-protein-kill-oral-cancer-cells

Be sure to check out my new website at www.valerielull.com  I also have a page on facebook, it is called Ten Healthy Teas.

My new book Ten Spices for Health and Longevity is now published and available on Amazon.com. It is an ebook. If it does well, I will later come out with a paperback version.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Green Tea and Cancer

Green Tea is probably one of the most studied of all herbs. Many people consider green tea as a tea rather than an herb. However, I've run across several herbals that include it and it has a lot of health benefits. One area where green tea has a significant benefit is in the prevention of cancer.

In China and Japan the rates of cancer are much lower than the rates in the United States. Scientists think that their high consumption of green tea may be responsible for this. Green tea  has a polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which scientists have linked with having cancer prevention properties. One study found that the extract of green tea slowed the growth of breast cancer cells, and decreased it's spread to other parts of the body in mouse studies. These polyphenols are thought to help create T cells in the body which enhances the immune system that inhibits the growth of tumors.

In one recent study it appears that EGCG changed pancreatic cancer cells so that they suppressed an enzyme associated with this type of cancer. This substance also appeared to inhibit breast cancer, human cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.

Green tea also has properties that protect against other health problems, like heart disease, inflammation, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and weight loss. Besides this, green tea is a very pleasant beverage to drink if it is prepared properly. Most people make their water much too hot for the tea to steep in. The ideal temperature for steeping green tea is 165-175 degrees. The ideal steeping time is 1 to 2 minutes. The decaffeinated version seems to be more effective for disease prevention than the decaffeinated though decaf is better than nothing at all.

You can experiment with green tea and try adding lemon, or pomegranate or mint for flavor. Some people have it iced, though I personally prefer it hot. Japan has the highest rate of longevity in the world. Perhaps green tea contributes to that too.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com. Also, on Facebook under the heading Book, Ten Healthy Teas.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net