September 1, 2009
Green tea extracts linked to healthier bones: Study
Compounds from green tea may lead to stronger bones by promoting bone formation, while also inhibiting bone resorption, which leads to weakening, suggests a new cell study.
The new study looked at three tea compounds called epigallocatechin (EGC), gallocatechin (GC), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG), and found that EGC produced the greatest bone boosting potential.
"Our study has provided the first laboratory evidence on the bone promotion effects of the green tea catechin EGC as was demonstrated by the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation,” wrote researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong report their findings in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Osteoblasts are cells responsible for bone formation, while osteoclasts are cells which break down bone, leading to resorption and weakening.
The study is consistent with data from epidemiological studies. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Oct. 2007, Vol 86, pp. 1243-1247) reported that bone mineral density levels were 2.8 per cent greater in tea drinkers than non-tea drinkers, suggesting the beverage has the potential to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis.
The condition is currently second only to cardiovascular disease in terms of global healthcare burden, according to the World Health Organisation, affecting some 200 million people today but the number of sufferers is set to increase steadily with growing numbers of elderly living longer, and obesity adding extra strain on bones.
Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent.
The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.
Study details
The Hong Kong based researchers used rat cells to study the effects of EGC, GC, and GCG on bone health.
EGC was found to stimulate bone mineralisation, while simultaneously inhibiting the formation of osteoclasts. The other catechins were found to have a significantly weaker effect, said the researchers.
“The present study illustrated that the tea catechins, EGC in particular, had positive effects on bone metabolism through a double process of promoting osteoblastic activity and inhibiting osteoclast differentiations,” wrote the authors.
"Our observations would serve as groundwork for further studies,” they concluded.
Author: Stephen Daniells
Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/
Comments:
Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue over time. It is a chronic degenerative disease and is a major public health problem for those over 50 and affects more than 44 million Americans and 200 million people worldwide. Although any bone can be affected; the hips and spine are the most common sites and related hip and spine fractures tend to be expensive. As mentioned osteoporosis although not life threatening in itself, follows closely behind cardiovascular disease for associated healthcare costs. In 2005, osteoporosis-related fractures were responsible for an estimated $19 billion and in the next 15 years the cost is predicted to rise to approximately $25.3 billion due to increased life expectancy and obesity rates. Currently there is no cure for osteoporosis. There are some medications, such as bisphosphonates, calcitonin and hormone replacement therapies made available for patients. However all of these drugs are associated with serious adverse effects, which greatly overshadow their benefits. Most of these medications are grouped as “anti-resorptive drugs” indicating their mechanism of action that is mainly reduction of bone loss. Osteoclasts are the types of cells that promote bone loss or absorption and osteoblasts promote the bone growth. Activity and balance of both types of cells is required for strong and healthy bones. The study mentioned in this article has proven the anti-resorptive as well as bone-promoting effects of green tea polyphenols, especially Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG).
This study reinforces what Dr. Rath has already proven. According to Dr. Rath, synergistic nutrients are essential to maintain healthy connective tissue including bones, muscles, blood and many other organs in the body. Clinical trials conducted by Dr. Rath's Research Institute has established the benefits of vitamin C, lysine, proline along with green tea extract (EGCG) in various chronic diseases including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The combination supported by synergistic nutrients has also proven to be effective in rapid healing of bone fractures in adult patients. Please read more about these and other clinical trials at www.drrathresearch.org
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