Green tea catechins shown to shrink cancerous tumors in humans

Friday, September 14, 2012 by: John Phillip
Tags: green tea, catechins, cancerous tumors

(NaturalNews) Natural health advocates have understood and demonstrated the potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of green tea consumption for decades. The Chinese have brewed the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant for more than 5,000 years to benefit human health. Catechins such as epigallocatechin 3-gallate or EGCG are gaining prominent attention as they have been shown to halt cancerous tumor growth and improve arterial elasticity to promote cardiovascular health.

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, publishing in the journal Nanomedicine have determined that EGCG extracted from green tea could be a powerful weapon in treatments for tackling cancer. The scientists developed a proprietary method for delivering the natural compound directly to tumor cells and found that nearly two-thirds of the tumors it was delivered to either shrank or disappeared within one month. The treatment displayed no side effects to normal tissues.

EGCG from green tea effectively shrinks or eliminates existing tumors in humans

This research is significant because it is believed to be the first time that this type of treatment has made cancerous tumors shrink or vanish in response to a therapy based on a totally natural compound. The lead study author, Dr. Christine Dufes noted "These are very encouraging results which we hope could pave the way for new and effective cancer treatments."

To conduct the study, the scientists encapsulated the green tea extract in vesicles that also carried transferrin, a plasma protein that transports iron through the blood. Transferrin receptors are found in large amounts in many cancers, and are known to be a viable target for many cancer therapies. Testing EGCG on two different types of skin cancer, researchers found 40 percent of both types of tumors vanished, while 30 percent of one and 20 percent of another shrank. A further 10 percent of one of the types was stabilized.

Dr. Dufes concluded "The green tea extract reduced the size of many of the tumors every day, in some cases removing them altogether... these are very encouraging results which we hope could pave the way for new and effective cancer treatments." There is no doubt that EGCG catechins from green tea are important to human health. EGCG can be consumed through standardized encapsulated supplements or by drinking two to four fresh-brewed cups of green tea daily to dramatically lower the risk of many cancer lines and to shield against an array of chronic illnesses.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22891867
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-08/uos-gtc082212.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120822071433.htm

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.