By HCLI Staff
How does green tea affect the kidneys? Recent animal studies have highlighted some interesting results. As many people know, one of the most important functions of the kidneys is to remove wastes from the bloodstream. These wastes include excess water and nutrients, as well as the byproducts of cellular processes and substances taken up by the body through the digestive system, skin, and lungs. However, there are some circumstances when kidney functioning may be impaired. A few of these circumstances include kidney disease that results from having diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), kidney stones, low blood supply to the organs (ischemia), and blood coagulation or clotting(thrombosis). A plethora of new animal studies now show that green tea may have the potential to improve these conditions. It might also help maintain the function of our kidneys in spite of these serious health problems. Read more…
By Justin H. Joe, Ph.D. & H.S. Jeon, Ph.D.
Exercise and green tea are considered beneficial to our daily health. However, the combined effect of consuming green tea and exercising is not as widely known. Current research elucidates the benefits of green tea consumption in combination with exercise in both humans and mice. These benefits include improved endurance, weight loss, and resting metabolism, as well as a reduction in the oxidative stress related to exercise.
One prominent finding concerning the connection between green tea and exercise indicates that green tea enhances the body’s metabolism and adipose tissue oxidation when consumed concurrently with moderate to intense exercise over a period of a several weeks.[1,2] A human study in Japan that included moderate-intensity exercise (endurance training) over the span of 10 weeks found that the group receiving Green Tea Extract (GTE) had a decrease in whole-body fat in comparison to the group receiving a placebo.[1] Another investigation involving overweight individuals confirms the enhancing effect of green tea on exercise.[2] 102 overweight adults were randomly assigned either GTE catechins or a placebo and made to exercise with moderate intensity over a 12-week period. The group that received the green tea supplement had a larger decrease in abdominal fat compared to the control group.[2] These studies show that, in overweight women and men, a higher concentration of green tea catechin consumption led to an increased loss in body weight and fat when combined with exercise.
By Moa Park, PharmD
High cholesterol is one of the major health concerns affecting many people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, about 39% of the world’s population has high cholesterol. 1
Cholesterol is one of the substances essential in maintaining the normal functions of the body, including the structuring of cells and production of hormones. High cholesterol, however, can lead to increased risk of heart disease and stroke.2 Current high cholesterol treatments primarily target Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), which is often referred to as the “bad cholesterol.” LDL is known as “bad” because it carries cholesterol from the liver to body cells and often causes plaque buildup in the arteries.2 Many clinical trials show an increased risk of heart disease when there is a raised level of LDL, making LDL the primary target of therapy.3
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