Health Benefits of Green Tea- A Powerful Source of EGCG

Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG is one of the most powerful antioxidants known. One of the most delicious sources is green tea. EGCG has been shown in very promising studies to slow or even reverse leukemia symptomology.

Since the 1970’s scientists have known about the cancer fighting abilities of green tea. In countries that consume large quantities of green tea per capita, cancer rates are much lower than the norm. In a study published in 2004, researchers found EGCG could kill leukemia cells.

In the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a new study from the Mayo Clinic showed that EGCG reduced the symptoms of cancer patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients were treated with varying doses of an EGCG extract.

When health professionals at the Mayo noticed that patients who drank green tea began showing signs of improvement, they decided to do a study. Researchers designed a study where 33 CLL sufferers were given varying doses between 400 and 2000 milligrams of EGCG extract twice daily. Patients were able to tolerate high doses with no side effects. Many of the patients saw regression in their condition to varying degrees.

EGCG treatment reduced white blood cell count and reduced lymph nod size. Lymphocyte counts decreased by 20 percent or more in 15 out of 33 patients and these improvements lasted for two months in 11 of the patients. Twelve of the participants started the study with swollen lymph nodes and 11 of them experienced a 50 percent or more reduction is their swelling.

CLL is an incurable, aggressive and often fatal disease. There is currently no approved treatment to slow, halt or reverse its progression. This latest study shows promise that EGCG could be a no-side-effect treatment for leukemias and other forms of cancer.

In addition to being an awesome cancer fighter, EGCG is known to lower LDL unhealthy cholesterol. It also contributes to lowered heart attack and stroke risk by reducing causative blood clots. Studies show that regular use of EGCG prevents heart disease. It regulates blood glucose which is helpful for diabetics. Studies show protection for the liver from toxic substances like alcohol and it may even help with viral hepatitis.

Research also shows that this powerful antioxidant is at least 100 times more effective than Vitamin C in preventing oxidative damage in cells and DNA. It has also been found to be 25 times more effective than Vitamin E at reducing oxidative stress. Long term use is linked to reductions in heart disease, cancer and other age related or life threatening illness, in addition to increasing metabolism and burning fat.

Green tea is the number one source of EGCG but it and other glyconutrients can be found in fungi, saps, gums, seaweed, aloe vera, seeds, grains, Echinacea, fruits and vegetables.

A cup of green tea has about 100 mg of EGCG. If you substitute your current hot drink with green tea, you are going a long way in preventing cancers, heart disease and other age related and life threatening illnesses.