Thursday June 23, 2011 | 2 comments
I’m always delighted to discover new research that supports the health benefits of green tea. Dr. Emile Ho from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University recently published encouraging research findings in Immunology Letters, a professional journal. It has been previously noted that one of the beneficial compounds found in green tea, EGCG, has the ability to increase the number of regulatory T cells that play a role in the immune function by suppressing the auto-immune response of the body.
The immune system performs a delicate balancing act, attacking unwanted invaders without damaging normal cells. In auto-immune diseases, however, which can range from simple allergies to juvenile diabetes or even terminal conditions, the body ends up attacking itself. Dr. Ho found that green tea can cause a higher production of regulatory T cells, which help to reduce the auto-immune response.
According to Dr Ho:
“EGCG may have health benefits through an epigenetic mechanism, meaning we aren’t changing the underlying DNA codes, but just influencing what gets expressed, what cells get turned on. And we may be able to do this with a simple, whole-food approach.”
I do hope the FDA is listening.
Thanks, Michelle, for continuing to talk about and share health findings from credentialed sources!! I think of more concern to our health are products like the one you put on your eyelids to make your lashes grow longer and it can permanently change the darkened part of your eye?
This truly is wonderful news. The increase in the amount of auto-immune disorders in this country has been astronomical. I am convinced that a significant factor in the upsurge in this type of disease process is our typical, unhealthy American diet. Our average nutritional intake has a very unbalanced ratio of Omega 3 to 6 fatty acids. As a result, we build significantly more pro-inflammatory proteins than anti-inflammatory proteins. This can often lead to the activation of a chronic inflammatory response throughout the body.
I believe, that this chronic inflammation is a contributing factor to developing auto-immune reactions in the body. It is great to hear that our beloved tea may be a valuable, natural resource for helping people to avoid the highly deleterious effects of auto-immune disorders.