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NEW RESEARCH CONFIRMS GREEN TEA SUPPLEMENT PROVIDES BEST ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION
Surpasses Vitamins E, C and Red Wine
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- Sept. 11 -- Researchers at the University of Kansas have found new evidence confirming that a compound in a green tea supplement provides stronger damage protection of cells and their genetic material (DNA) than the well-known antioxidants vitamins E and C and the antioxidant compound in red wine.
Announced today at the American Chemical Society annual meeting, the first side-by-side comparative antioxidant study led to an investigation of the protective power of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against that of vitamins E and C, in addition to red wine and other teas. EGCG is a member of the family of chemicals known as polyphenols, antioxidant compounds which are found in green tea. EGCG and other green tea polyphenols work as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are compounds that attack the body's free radicals, which cause cellular damage including DNA (genetic material) breakage.
The research provides further evidence of the ability of EGCG to protect against cellular damage. The research team used the supplement, Tegreen 97(tm) which, comprised of 97 percent polyphenols, has a 4-fold higher concentration of EGCG than traditional green tea. The research was also the first of its kind to use the Ames test, a widely used test for mutagenic agents, to determine the effectiveness of the green tea compound in the form of Tegreen in protecting against cellular damage.
"The antioxidants in tea are more effective than the vitamins that are usually construed to be antioxidants," said Dr. John Weisburger, senior member, American Health Foundation. He adds, "We need both but green tea is more effective."
Using the Ames test, EGCG was added to DNA samples challenged with peroxide, a recognized powerful free radical. The research found EGCG to be a powerful antioxidant, offering 63 percent protection from DNA damage. The level of protection of DNA samples in the presence of Tegreen were significantly higher when compared with a control group of DNA without Tegreen. In a side-by-side comparison using equivalent concentrations, vitamin E was found to be much less protective against damaged cell growth than EGCG or Tegreen, while vitamin C showed almost no protective activity at
the same concentration. Specifically, EGCG was approximately 100 times more effective than vitamin C, 25 times more effective than vitamin E, and nearly twice as effective as red wine.
Bill McGlashan, president of Pharmanex, Inc., the company that manufactures Tegreen, called the study very promising. "This confirms that Tegreen offers one of the strongest levels of antioxidant protection. Tegreen is a natural extract, standardized to ensure the highest levels of polyphenols available in any dietary supplement on the market today," McGlashan said.
"Green teas may be different, however when you take a standardized supplement you know you are getting what you need," according to Georges M. Halpern, M.D., Ph.D., professor emeritus of medicine, University of California and antioxidant researcher.
Tegreen, like green tea, provides protection against the damage caused by cigarette smoke, pollution, stress and other toxins. Each capsule of Tegreen provides the equivalent of about 4 cups of traditionally brewed green tea, but without the stimulating effects of excess caffeine. The polyphenol content of green tea is not known to be associated with any significant side effects or toxicity.
Green tea is widely consumed in East Asia and its health benefits have been demonstrated in China for thousands of years. In extensive epidemiological studies in Asia, totaling more than 100,000 people for study periods of up to 10 years, daily consumption of four or more cups of a green tea beverage has been associated with significant overall good health maintenance in subjects, even after adjustments are made for age, smoking and alcohol consumption.
While further study is needed, this research adds support to an increasing body of evidence that the polyphenols in green tea are strongly linked to protection against cellular damage.
Tegreen 97 can be found in the vitamin or herbal remedy section of major retail chains such as CVS, Sav-On, Target, Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, Longs Drugs and Eckerd Drugs, or by calling (800) 999-6229 for information about the nearest retailer.
Pharmanex is a global research-based company that creatively markets proprietary and innovative natural healthcare products of proven safety and efficacy, which improve the quality of people's lives.
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