Green Tea's Ability to Slow Growth of Cancer Cells
 Marcus Stout


Nearly all of us are aware that green tea has gained attention
for research results showing that it can prevent, and possibly
even treat, cancer. Green tea has been shown in many studies to
have the ability to slow the growth of abnormal cells, and act as
a scavenger against them.

While we don't have all the answers, it does seem clear that
tea's anti-oxidants are what make them so effective at
preventing cancer. Anti-oxidants are critical to the protection
of our health because they neutralize the free radicals created
by our body as it converts food to energy. Free radicals damage
cells and DNA and, over time, contribute to the development of
diseases like cancer.

But, anti-oxidants keep the free radicals in check, so that
they're not able to damage our bodies. Anti-oxidants are
abundant in many sources, including fruits, vegetables,
chocolate, red wine, coffee, tea and several vitamins.

However, one of the most potent anti-oxidants you can find is the
EGCG found in green tea. EGCG has been shown to be 100 times more
potent than other significant anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and
vitamin E.

EGCG is more abundant in green tea than black tea because of the
way that black tea is processed. Black tea is fermented, which
virtually rids it of EGCG. However, black tea does contain other
anti-oxidants, but these do not seem to be as effective at
preventing cancer.

EGCG and other anti-oxidants in green tea have been shown to have
significant ability to slow the growth of cancer cells. One study
showed that green tea prevented breast cancer from spreading in
patients who already had the disease.  Another showed that breast
cancer patients who drank green tea had a significantly lower
risk of the recurrence of breast cancer than those who did not
drink green tea. In addition, studies have shown traditional
chemotherapy treatments to be more effective when administered
along with green tea.

With regard to prostate cancer, green tea consumption appears to
have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a
substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).  ROS are a form
of free radicals that cause prostate cell damage and that
especially contribute to the development of prostate cancer, when
produced in excess.  But, the anti-oxidants contained in green
tea have the ability to get at these free radicals and eradicate
them, preventing them from developing into cancer cells.

Green tea has also been shown to be an effective preventer of
lung cancer. Green tea appears to cause apoptosis of abnormal
lung cells. Apoptosis is the orderly process of cell death. Cell
death due to apoptosis is good, because it is a process of
killing off damaged or unneeded cells. Green tea seems to help
the body rid itself of potentially harmful lung cells by inducing
the process of apoptosis.

Green tea also seems to help prevent lung cancer by inhibiting
the growth of the abnormal lung cells. So, green tea keeps the
cells from growing and spreading until the apoptosis can kills
the cells off. These two powers help to rid the body of abnormal
cells before they can replicate and cause a problem.

Other research has shown green tea to be effective at preventing
ovarian cancer, too. A study in Sweden reported that women who
consumed green tea showed a significantly lower risk of
developing ovarian cancer, and that the risk decreased as their
tea consumption increased.

And, green tea has been shown to prevent cancers of the digestive
system. One study concluded that the women who were regular tea
drinkers had a significantly lower risk of biliary tract cancer
and gallbladder cancer than those who did not drink green tea.

Green tea has even been shown to be effective at preventing and
treating skin cancer, when given orally, or even applied
topically. Topically applied green tea extract scavenges abnormal
skin cells, ridding the body of them before they can mutate into
cancer cells. Green tea also holds potential for preventing aging
and other skin problems when applied topically.

In short, it appears that green tea is powerful when it comes to
preventing abnormal cell growth, which can be an important tool
in preventing and treating many proliferative diseases, like
cancer.

So, as you can see, green tea's anti-oxidants hold a wealth of
power. They seem to be able to scavenge abnormal cells and
prevent the spread of cancerous cells. An interesting report
published by the UK Tea Council outlines the anti-oxidant
activity of green tea and how it appears to have a potent effect
on abnormal cell growth and spread.

Certainly, more research is required for us to fully understand
green tea's power. But, it seems fairly clear that green tea is
an important cancer preventer and health protector. And, adding
green tea to your diet is likely one of the simplest things you
can do to help protect your health.

Green tea is easy to find, delicious and available in a wide
range of forms and flavors. So, whether you like it hot or cold,
flavored or plain, get your dose of green tea. It's a refreshing
and delicious way to prevent cancer!




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Marcus Stout is the President of the Golden Moon Tea
Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest
rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly
and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website,
you can learn more about their current tea offerings,
including their exceptional green tea
(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea), white tea,
black tea ( http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea),
oolong tea (also known as wu-long and wu long tea)
and chai. Visit http://www.goldenmoontea.com for
all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Company's
fine line of teas.