The Truth About Green Tea and Prostate Cancer Author:
October 23rd, 2009
The Truth About Green Tea and Prostate Cancer Author: Milton Haslam
Most people don’t realize this, but there is a definite connection between green tea and prostate cancer. The positive effects of reducing the risk of numerous cancers such as stomach, esophageal, colon, breast and oral cancer have been widely documented.
However, a recent Italian study presented at the 96th annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research has indicated that men between the ages of 45 and 75 had their risk of contracting prostate cancer slashed after taking green tea catechins [GTC] for a year. These men were in a high risk group in that they had been previously diagnosed with premalignant lesions of the prostate. This condition normally has about a 30% chance of developing into invasive prostate cancer within one year. The men taking the GTCs had a 3% rate. That is not a misprint, 3%.
"Numerous earlier studies, including ours, have demonstrated that green tea catechins, or pure EGCG (a major component of GTCs), inhibited cancer cell growth in laboratory models," said Dr Saverio Bettuzzi, who led the Italian research team. "We wanted to conduct a clinical trial to find out whether catechins could prevent cancer in men. The answer clearly is yes."
EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is one of four powerful anti-oxidants in green tea that are collectively called catechins. They seem to increase the number of enzymes that convert carcinogens to inactive, harmless forms. The researchers added that GTCs used an important gene called Clusterin as a mediator to prevent programmed cell death in the prostate.
The research team also said that earlier studies demonstrated primarily that GTCs were safe for human consumption. EGCG was identified as targeting prostate cancer cells specifically for death, without damaging the benign controls.
"EGCG induced death in cancer cells, not normal cells, inducing Clusterin expression," said Dr Bettuzzi.
Although this particular research concentrated on catechins, other studies have shown that vitamin D, beta carotene, folic acid, zinc, saw palmetto and the trace element selenium are directly related to improved prostate health.
One must be careful here. It is not a good idea to start taking large doses of any of the nutrients I just mentioned, including tea. For example, doses as large as 400 mcg/day of selenium can actually be toxic. It is also important to note that many of the antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients work best in combination with other vitamins and minerals.
To use a baseball analogy, I have found that drinking a cup or two of freshly brewed tea between meals along with a well balanced vitamin/mineral/herbal supplement covers most of the bases. I try to touch the others with exercise and a well thought out diet.
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The Truth About Green Tea and Prostate Cancer Author: Milton Haslam
Most people don’t realize this, but there is a definite connection between green tea and prostate cancer. The positive effects of reducing the risk of numerous cancers such as stomach, esophageal, colon, breast and oral cancer have been widely documented.
However, a recent Italian study presented at the 96th annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research has indicated that men between the ages of 45 and 75 had their risk of contracting prostate cancer slashed after taking green tea catechins [GTC] for a year. These men were in a high risk group in that they had been previously diagnosed with premalignant lesions of the prostate. This condition normally has about a 30% chance of developing into invasive prostate cancer within one year. The men taking the GTCs had a 3% rate. That is not a misprint, 3%.
"Numerous earlier studies, including ours, have demonstrated that green tea catechins, or pure EGCG (a major component of GTCs), inhibited cancer cell growth in laboratory models," said Dr Saverio Bettuzzi, who led the Italian research team. "We wanted to conduct a clinical trial to find out whether catechins could prevent cancer in men. The answer clearly is yes."
EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is one of four powerful anti-oxidants in green tea that are collectively called catechins. They seem to increase the number of enzymes that convert carcinogens to inactive, harmless forms. The researchers added that GTCs used an important gene called Clusterin as a mediator to prevent programmed cell death in the prostate.
The research team also said that earlier studies demonstrated primarily that GTCs were safe for human consumption. EGCG was identified as targeting prostate cancer cells specifically for death, without damaging the benign controls.
"EGCG induced death in cancer cells, not normal cells, inducing Clusterin expression," said Dr Bettuzzi.
Although this particular research concentrated on catechins, other studies have shown that vitamin D, beta carotene, folic acid, zinc, saw palmetto and the trace element selenium are directly related to improved prostate health.
One must be careful here. It is not a good idea to start taking large doses of any of the nutrients I just mentioned, including tea. For example, doses as large as 400 mcg/day of selenium can actually be toxic. It is also important to note that many of the antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients work best in combination with other vitamins and minerals.
To use a baseball analogy, I have found that drinking a cup or two of freshly brewed tea between meals along with a well balanced vitamin/mineral/herbal supplement covers most of the bases. I try to touch the others with exercise and a well thought out diet.