Green tea consumption has been
shown to benefit many health issues ranging from help with weight management to
cancer prevention and treatment. New research published
in the British Journal of Nutrition
explains that the natural extract from the Camellia sinensis plant has a powerful effect on cholesterol
metabolism in the human body.
Most forward thinking health professionals now understand that dysfunction
in the LDL cholesterol pathway lays the foundation for cardiovascular health
problems, cancer and fatty liver disease. Regular green tea consumption is now
shown to improve healthy LDL cholesterol function, enabling the fatty molecule
to efficiently usher excess cholesterol from the body and improve risk factors for
many chronic disease conditions.
Green Tea Alters Gene Expression Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels
In one of the first studies of
its type, researchers performed DNA microarray analysis to examine the effect
of the active compound found in green
tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Scientists specifically
targeted the catechin to determine their effect on cholesterol metabolism in
HepG2 hepatocytes. They determined that the expression levels of several genes
related to cholesterol metabolism, including the LDL receptor, were changed by
EGCG treatment.
EGCG was found to boost the
function of the LDL receptor on liver cells. Researchers commented
“This is very important as proper
function of the LDL receptor enables your liver to “capture” circulating LDL
and recycle it.” In this study,
green tea is shown to alter gene expression toward healthy LDL cholesterol
metabolism by improving receptor acceptance by the liver. The liver displays an
improved capacity to capture and filter LDL cholesterol for removal from the
body.
Green Tea Improves Biomarkers to Lower Heart Disease, Cancer and
Dementia Risks
In addition to the finding that green
tea alters LDL cholesterol metabolism, ECGC was found to inhibit genes to
reduce the production of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB). ApoB formation is required to
initially form LDL molecules in the blood. Excess production of ApoB is a
significant marker for chronic illnesses ranging from cardiovascular disease
and heart attack to increased risk of cancer and dementia.
Green tea and the active compound
EGCG are quickly ascending to nutritional “superstar” status. The Chinese have
extolled its virtues for countless generations. Researchers now document the
prowess of this nutrient by scientifically validating the direct impact exerted
on our genetic structure to affect healthy cholesterol function and removal
from the body. The healthy benefits of green tea are realized by drinking
several fresh brewed cups of organically harvested leaves each day or
supplementing with 250 to 500 mg of EGCG extract.
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