Green Tea Antioxidants In Cancer Prevention

Cancer is general term that includes more than 100 diseases that occur when the cells of the body divide rapidly but do not die as quickly. Half of all the men and one-third of all women in the United States will develop the condition during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Symptoms depend on the organs affected and may include fatigue, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite and malaise. Treatment includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Certain natural foods such as green tea may also help prevent and treat cancer.

About Green Tea

Green tea is a popular beverage made from the unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It contains significant amounts of antioxidant polyphenol compounds called catechins, which are responsible for the biological activity of the leaves. Green tea supplements are also available as capsules and liquid extracts and have been used to treat conditions that include diabetes, cancer, liver disease and obesity. Two to three cups of green tea provide 240 to 320 mg of polyphenols, as per the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your doctor can help establish a dose that is right for you, depending on your age, overall health and condition being treated.

About Cancer

The polyphenolic antioxidants of green tea help stabilize the free oxygen radicals formed as a result of various metabolic processes in the body and thereby help prevent several types of cancers, including those of the skin, breast, prostate and lung, according to an article published in the October 2006 issue of the journal "Life Sciences." The unstable free radicals react with the DNA and proteins of healthy cells and may convert them into cancer cells. Another study, in the June 2011 issue of the journal "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research," also reveals that green tea catechins exert anticancer and chemopreventive activity by inhibiting the enzyme receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays an important role in proliferation of cells. Dr. Yukiaki Kuroda, author of the book "Health Effects of Tea and Its Catechins," reaffirms that catechins can induce the apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of the cancer cells and hence may help prevent and treat cancer.

Side Effects

A moderate amount of green tea is generally safe to consume. However, you should remember that green tea is a caffeinated beverage and may lead to side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, increased heartbeat, dizziness and irritability. Use the decaffeinated version of the beverage if you experience these symptoms. Green tea supplements may also interfere with certain chemotherapy, blood-thinning and contraceptive medications.

Precautions

Consult your doctor if you plan to use green tea for medicinal purposes. The Food and Drug Admininstration does not regulate the production of green tea supplements, so seek a pharmacist's help to find a product that has been tested for safety and efficacy, or look for the USP logo that is awarded by the United States Pharmacopoeial Convention to supplements that have voluntarily submitted to safety tests.