January 04, 2012 | Posted in Health/Nutrition/Fitness | Post a comment | Share Article |
As far as supplements go, the benefits of green tea extracts may be numerous. However, drinking the tea, especially the bottled varieties, is not the best way to get the benefit.The beneficial compounds found in the teas are called catechins. There are several different catechins, all of which have antioxidant activity in the human body. Unlike other common antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E that are found in a variety of different fruits and vegetables, catechins are only found in the camellia sinensis plant (used to make black and green teas), some cocoa plants and some types of chocolate. So, the sources are limited.
The catechin content varies from plant to plant. The amount present in tea depends on the brewing time.
Bottled beverages have a very short brew time and manufacturers typically lose some of the lower grades of the plant. A supplement containing the extract will provide a larger amount of the catechins. The amount that is provided should be listed on the label and the manufacturer should guarantee that they test for potency and purity.
The benefits of green tea extracts have primarily to do with the prevention of chronic and life-threatening diseases, in particular, the age-related ones. They are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and various kinds of cancer, as well as Parkinson’s disease. They may be beneficial for people suffering from Crohn’s, because they have anti-inflammatory activity, and in type II diabetes, as they promote insulin sensitivity.
Early evidence indicates that they can aid weight loss, by increasing fat oxidation and number of calories burned during exercise. Because of these preliminary studies, you will see claims concerning the benefits ofgreen tea as a fat burner. The claims are somewhat misleading, however, because the affect has only been noted in a small group of healthy young men during cycling. Other studies were conducted using animal models.
All of this is very promising, but it isn’t the only supplement that is making news. Resveratrol, for example, an antioxidant found in the skin’s of red grapes, has been the subject of numerous studies and is now being considered as a new “drug” for treating type II diabetes.
The benefits of green tea catechins and other antioxidants to everyone are relatively clear. Antioxidants neutralize free radical molecules, within the cells of the body. Free radicals are one of the causes of DNA degradation and cellular aging. Glycation and chronic inflammation are other causes.
The best supplements on the market meet our basic nutritional requirements and include the ingredients that may help us extend our life-spans and live healthier, more active lives, as we age.
With natural anti-inflammatories, anti-oxidants and anti-glycation factors, we can take our health into our own hands, so to speak.
The ingredients to look for include resveratrol, carnosine, MSM, silymarin, SAM-e, vitamin D3, calcium, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin.
Combined with the benefits of green tea extract, you’re likely to notice an immediate improvement in energy and the appearance of your skin.
But, it is the long-term benefit that is most important.
Do yourself a favour and take multi-nutrient synergistic supplements that work together providing maximum impact on your health, and you will never have to buy 5 to 6 different bottles again.
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