The way some reporters make it sound, green tea and health are synonymous. Some self-proclaimed experts make it sound like a magic weight loss pill. One of them claims that coffee-drinkers can lose 10 pounds in six weeks by switching to green tea. Another group says that five cups per day will help your burn 70-80 extra calories per day. That would work out to about a pound in six weeks.

There is some truth to the claims made by supplement manufacturers and tea distributors. But, the truth about weight loss is this. There are hundreds of different diet pills and weight loss drugs on the market, but none of them work on their own.

If you are overweight, it probably has very little to do with how much you are eating, but with “what” you are eating. If you’re like most people, you are eating foods that are high in calories and low in nutritive value. If you suffer from cravings and tend to overeat, there are nutrients missing from your diet. You can benefit from a well designed multi-nutritional supplement.

Of course, the research concerning green tea and health has not focused solely on weight loss. Like most of today’s research, the primary focus has been cancer. The catechins in the camellia sinensis plant, from which the tea leaves are taken, have been shown to have a variety of anti-cancer activities. One of them is very interesting and completely contradicts what the media and the so-called experts have said.

There is an enzyme that researchers refer to as fatty acid synthase-N or FASN. FASN is suspected of being an “oncogene”, a gene that when mutated or present at high levels turns a normal cell into a cancer cell. Inhibiting FASN has been investigated as a component of chemotherapy, but the inhibitors have caused weight loss and anorexia, an undesirable side effect for the cancer patient.

In one study concerning green tea and health, researchers found that catechins inhibit FASN in animals, without inducing weight loss. Catechins have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, reduce the waist size of people with type II diabetes, improve the secretion of insulin and inhibit the formation of blood clots. They have anti-inflammatory activity and in animals have been shown to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

There is plenty of evidence from studies concerning green tea and health to make the following statement. It reduces your risk of prostate or breast cancer. There is not enough evidence to say much else about it “conclusively”. Even in the area of cancer prevention, the evidence is only “strong”, not conclusive.

It is safe to say that it is a good ingredient for a supplement to contain. But, there are other extracts that have much stronger evidence concerning the benefit of supplementation. Try to find a supplement that contains olive leaf, curcumin, grape seed, black cumin, bilberry, milk thistle, pine bark, ginger, gingko biloba and myrrh.

We may learn more about green tea and health, as time goes by, but one thing will not change. It’s only one important antioxidant. There are many others.

The benefits of green tea seem somewhat unbelievable. It seems that antioxidants in these “magic leaves” reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, arthritis, obesity and type II diabetes. If you do a little research, you will see that these things are not that unusual.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you have probably heard healthcare professionals telling us to eat more fruits, vegetables and other plant foods. They may not be specific about it, but the reason for this is the nutrient content, in particular the antioxidant content of these kinds of foods.

The compounds responsible for the vivid colors seen in fresh fruits and vegetables are antioxidants. They are the plant’s natural protection against disease, oxidation and UV radiation from the sun. The longevity of some plants is amazing. Their ability to survive natural and man-made disasters is incredible. There are olive and ginkgo biloba trees that are thousands of years old. There are four gingko trees in Hiroshima that survived the 1945 atomic bombing. They are alive and well, today.

The benefits of green tea are due to the antioxidants found in its leaves. They include gallic acid and catechins. There are a number of different antioxidants in olive and gingko leaves. In grape seed we find proanthocyanidins. In bilberry, there are anthocyanins. In turmeric, there is curcumin. The list goes on and on. All of these antioxidants are beneficial to human health, just as they are to the plants.

Cooking fruits and vegetables reduces their antioxidant content, except in the case of tomatoes. One of the antioxidants in the tomato is lycopene. The lycopene content becomes higher and more concentrated when tomatoes are cooked. But, as far as we know, that does not occur with other fruits or vegetables.

Because of the processing used to prepare the leaves, the benefits of green tea drinking are difficult to define. Seeping the leaves in water extracts some of the antioxidants, but it is difficult to say how much. It is known that the caffeine content varies from 10-80mg. We can only assume that the variance of the catechin content is similar. You might get a little. You might get a lot.

In order to be sure that you are getting the benefits of green tea, a standardized extract is your best choice. If you enjoy drinking the beverage, go ahead. It’s good for you in other ways. The warm water supports digestive function and contributes to good hydration. The caffeine may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s. The standardized extracts contain very little caffeine.

The best multi-nutritional supplements contain an extract that provide 80mg of catechins, per 100mg of the extract. Other products only provide 25mg/100. It’s important to compare supplements carefully before you buy them. Learn about the manufacturers and the steps they take to protect you from contaminants. This is important, because the raw ingredients typically come from China. Only about 2% of Chinese manufacturers have high standards.

Research concerning the benefits of green tea is currently on-going. We may know even more, tomorrow.

Valerie Rosenbaum has spent years researching the claims of anti aging supplements and skin care products to find out which ingredients and products are most effective at slowing or even reversing the aging process. If you are interested in restoring your youthful vigor and appearance then visit her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com to learn more.

Resveratrol is a chemical that is found naturally on the skin of red grapes, of the polyphenol family that includes such other members as the powerful antioxidants anthocyanadin and the flavanoids. They destroy free radicals that are responsible for many ill effects in the body, including cardiovascular disease and aging. Aging occurs through the destruction of body cells that free radicals initiate, and can theoretically be retarded by the destruction of the free radicals.

Free radicals are becoming more common invaders of our bodies due to their increasing concentration in the atmosphere through vehicle and aircraft emissions, and also of our seas and rivers through industrial effluents. Free radicals are also created by excessive radiation, such as the harmful UV content of sunlight that is no longer effectively filtered by an adequate ozone layer.

Resveratrol is known to be effective against cardiovascular diseases due to its anti oxidant properties, and also for other reasons, but it is also believed to be a possible anti-aging supplement, to beat off the effects of old age. There is the obvious reason of it being a very powerful anti-oxidant and so preventing cell damage through the effects of free radicals, but there is more to it than just that.

The French do not seem to possess a longevity beyond that which could be expected from their diet high in saturated fats and alcohol. The fact that most of that alcohol is in the form of wines, especially red wines, is significant, but their high cheese intake with its cholesterol and saturated fat content, and other highly saturated animal fats, would be expected to cause a much lower average life expectancy that that which is actually normal in the area.

Although resveratrol is commonly found on red grape skins, and is a constituent of red wine, the quantities are small and it is the Japanese Knotweed that is the major natural source. Resveratrol is currently manufactured from knotweed, which is the main source of the supplement in health food stores. In fact you can purchase online what is described as 99% pure knotweed Resveratrol that is not contaminated with plant residues.’ A lot depends on your viewpoint I suppose!

Perhaps the biggest contribution to be made to longevity by resveratrol is that it can activate the SIRT1 gene. This is the gene that activates the protein and enzyme sirtuin. Sirtuin is thought to be what is loosely terms a ‘protector of cells’ and helps cells to repair themselves when they are close to destruction. When the cell is not sure whether to carry on with the struggle or just give up and die, sirtuin persuades it to fight on and to repair itself. Without the sirtuin, the cell would have died, and as cells die, one ages.

However, the amount of resveratrol found in red wine is insufficient to activate the SIRT1 gene that has to be active before the sirtuin is activated, and supplementation is generally needed. The SIRT1 gene is also activated by a calorie reduced diet, and this can also help to protect cells from dying under stress. Such diets are useful in some situations, but will not necessarily prolong life for those that adopt it.

The SIRT1 enzyme is also thought by some to increase the activity of the mitochondria, the power packs inside cells that provide them with energy by processing fats. Mice fed with resveratrol appeared full of energy that was consistent with a surge in the number and efficiency of the mitochondria within their body cells. This is supported by an increase in muscle tissue. If this is true, and studies on this are continuing, then resveratrol fed to humans could also increase their energy as they age, since the aging process coincides with a reduction in the number and efficiency of the mitochondria within the cells.

This could also tie up in a way with the calorie controlled diet, since an increase in the metabolism that comes with increased mitochondria activity results in a higher calorie uptake, and so a reduction in the free calories available in the body. However, one of the mysteries of the human body is that what makes logical sense does not necessarily work in fact, and so the jury will remain out until the results of the large number of studies underway have been published.

For example, more evidence is required to prove the mitochondria activity theory unequivocally although all of the evidence so far tends to support it. At the moment resveratrol has restricted known uses, though the evidence is being collected and accumulated to provide support for the theories that exist on its ability to help us live longer and with more energy.

As more studies are carried out over the next few years, it seems highly likely that many more beneficial effects will be discovered, and those we are aware of confirmed by scientific proof. Resveratrol has many medicinal properties in addition to its beneficial effect on aging, such as its antioxidant properties, and ability to destroy free radicals, its anti-inflammatory properties where it is of benefit in the treatment of conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and also its effect as an antiseptic agent.

It is already known to increase the longevity of fruit flies, yeasts and worms and results on mice are just as encouraging. The theory behind its effect on human longevity is valid science, and it is known that if cells have a longer time to repair broken DNA, then they are able to do so. The enzyme sirtuin does this, and that is activated by the SIRT1 gene that is turn is activated by resveratrol. So the theory works, and so far laboratory tests are supporting this theory.

Whether or not resveratrol helps us to live longer or look younger as we age is not yet known, but studies are under way. Since the material is natural and not a prescription drug, there is nothing to prevent you from using it, but you are advised to consult your doctor before trying out medication that you have not taken before.

About the Author: Visit VitaNet Health Foods for additional information on Resveratrol at http://vitanetonline.com/ stop in and read more articles as well as browse our large selection of Resveratrol supplements.

I’m sure that by now everyone has heard about the many exciting health benefits that can green tea supplements can provide, but what is it about this substance that makes it so good for you? The most beneficial characteristic of a green tea supplement has to do with its antioxidant properties. Exactly how good these products are for you though depends primarily on how much of the extract you are actually getting.

There are several things that you want to be sure to look for when buying green tea supplements that will tell you whether or not the product will do anything for you. The first thing that you want to look for is whether or not the product you are looking at lists exactly how much of the extract you are getting, or how many leaves the product contains.

Another thing that should be included on the label of a green tea supplement is the exact amount of catechins, and polyphenols that the extract provides you. The quality of these kinds of products vary widely do to many different factors including the richness of the soil that the tea was grown in, and variations in the growing practices from farm to farm.

Given that all of these variables exist, including natural variances that occur from plant to plant, the products manufacturers must make every effort to ensure the only way for either the purity or the potency of green tea supplements to be determined is through the manufacturers testing the raw ingredients. There should also be testing conducted to ensure against possible contamination of the ingredients.

Let’s take a look at what is the best method of delivery to fully take advantage of the health benefits that this substance has to offer. The debate over whether or not it is better to simply take the substance in beverage form, or through a green tea supplement has raged on for a while now, but the answer to the question over which is better seems quite simple if you really look at it.

The fact is that simply taking in either green tea in beverage form, or taking green tea supplements is not enough to keep your body healthy. Focusing strictly on ingesting this single ingredient no matter how good the source will leave your body deficient in other areas. That is why you need to look into a supplement that provides you with not only this ingredient, but many others also.

A high quality multivitamin that includes a complete listing of essential vitamins and minerals including a green tea supplement is what you truly need in order for you to continue to maintain good health. You body will greatly benefit from getting the additional nutrients, and you will still be taking full advantage of the antioxidant power that green tea provides.

You need green tea supplements in order to make sure that your body is running at full efficiency, but you also need much more. Make sure that the source of your nutritional supplementation is well rounded in order to keep your body firing on all cylinders, at all times.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum has spent the the last few years researching anti aging natural supplements and skincare products that use only natural ingredients.

The two criteria she applied in her research was that 1) the products had to use all natural ingredients in the least processed state possible and 2) the products must have undergone clinical trials to prove their effectiveness.

As a result of these efforts, Dr. Rosenbaum has found what she believes to be the most effective natural anti-aging supplements available on the market today. Learn more about what she discovered at her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
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Many people are making the switch from beverage versions to green tea capsules, because from most manufacturers you get more quality assurance than you do through the liquid products. This is good, because in order for you to be able to take full advantage of the plethora of health benefits of green tea extract.

Green tea capsules are used by many people as a way to lose weight due to the fact that it is a natural diuretic, but it is also useful for treating stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. It has also been found useful in maintaining remission in people that suffer from Crohn’s disease. It is also beneficial for the prevention of prostate, colon, and rectal cancer.

The benefits of green tea extract don’t stop there either. It is also is known for preventing Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and kidney stones. It is also thought to be beneficial in the prevention of breast cancer. This makes this the nutritional supplement of choice for all women who have a history of breast cancer in their family. It also helps in the prevention of aging.

It is now known that there are five primary reasons why we age. These are free radicals caused by oxidation, protein destroying glycating molecules, methylation, inflammation, and DNA degeneration. You are not going to find relief from all of these things through the use of green tea capsules alone no matter how amazing these supplements seem to be.

That is why I always recommend to people that they invest in a complete nutritional supplement that offers not only the benefits of green tea extract, but that also includes vitamins, minerals, proteins, herbs, and enzymes. You will want to look for a high quality product that contains only the purest forms of these ingredients, and the maximum potency.

Green tea capsules by themselves simply cannot cure all that ails you, but with a well rounded supplement you can prevent, or at least put off anything debilitating that might come to affect you as the years pass along. You want to use a product that is as complete as possible, because such a product could prolong your ability to do many of the things that you have always love until you reach a very advanced age.

The benefits of green tea extract combined with the power of these other natural ingredients will go a long way toward improving the quality of your life. You will quickly notice that not only do you feel much better physically, but you will begin to perform much better mentally too. The rewards of using such a product just go on, and on.

Just make sure that the extracts in your new multivitamin have been tested by the manufacturer to ensure that they have been tested, and guaranteed to be of the very highest quality possible. This will ensure that you will receive the maximum possible benefit from their use. Green tea capsules have their benefits, but with the right choice of products you can enjoy so much more.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum has spent the the last few years researching anti aging natural supplements and skincare products that use only natural ingredients.

The two criteria she applied in her research was that 1) the products had to use all natural ingredients in the least processed state possible and 2) the products must have undergone clinical trials to prove their effectiveness.

As a result of these efforts, Dr. Rosenbaum has found what she believes to be the most effective natural anti-aging supplements available on the market today. Learn more about what she discovered at her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Tea-Capsules,-Green-Tea-Extract-and-Natural-Anti-Aging-Supplements&id=1949556

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