EGCG
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin-3-gallate
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in tea.
See also :
Special Precautions of EGCG
- Liver disease: Green Tea extract (GTE) supplements have been linked to several cases of liver damage. Green Tea extracts might make liver disease worse. (See also Matcha)
- A study using mouse models at the University of Southern California showed that, in contrast to the myriad benefits commonly associated with green tea and green tea extract (GTE), EGCG binds with the anti-cancer drug Velcade, significantly reducing its bioavailability and thereby rendering it therapeutically useless. Schönthal, who headed the study, suggests that consumption of green tea and GTE products be strongly contraindicated for patients undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.
- EGCG may reduce the bioavailability of the drug sunitinib when they are taken together.
- High intake of polyphenolic compounds during pregnancy is suspected to increase risk of neonatal leukemia. Bioflavonoid supplements should not be used by pregnant women.
- Maternal consumption of tea or coffee during pregnancy may elevate the risk of childhood malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumours through unknown mechanisms.
- A study in mice found that a high dose of EGCG raises ALT levels considerably
- Limit green tea consumption during pregnancy, since EGCG is thought to reduce the use of folic acid in cells.
- Matcha green tea is higher in EGCG than ordinary green tea so avoid taking very large amounts of the powdered form as this may pose a similar risk to liver health.
Health Benefits and uses of EGCG are
EGCG is supposed to be the active compound that is responsible for antioxidant properties of green tea and possibly fat burning properties. In Chinese medicine, EGCG is used to manage hormone levels with treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia to acne. EGCG may prove to be beneficial for many conditions for men and women.
- Androgenic Action : EGCG activity inside your body can inhibit dihydrotestosterone or DHT activity. DHT plays a role in testosterone activity in the body. As you age, your testosterone production and activity decrease, but DHT, a byproduct of testosterone, levels and action increase with age. DHT activity has been associated with balding, increased prostate gland size and for women the development of male sex characteristics. The gallate part of EGCG provides an inhibition to DHT activity in the body and can help reduce DHT activity in the body by binding to DHT receptors in your body, according to S. Liao in “The Medicinal Action of Androgens and Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate.”
- Cancer :
- Protection : EGCG may work to prevent cancer at the cellular level. According to Julius Goepp, M.D. with Life Extension Magazine, EGCG works to prevent cancer by intervening with cellular action and growth. People who drink green tea have less frequent episodes of cancer and when cancer is present, it is less severe than persons who don’t consume green tea. Dr. Goepp also adds EGCG can be useful for preventing or lessening the severity of breast, prostate, mouth, pancreas and colon cancers because of the protective action of EGCG. High green tea consumption with Asian cultures could be the “paradox” reasoning for Asians to have low cancer rates, despite certain behaviors, such as smoking is common, but they have lower heart disease and cancer rates than Americans who smoke.
- EGCG is confirmed to be a cancer stem cell killer. Cancer stem cells are largely responsible for the failure of conventional cancer treatment.
- Alter Body Fat Levels : Consumption of green tea and EGCG can reduce total body weight and body fat levels. Dr. Goepps states EGCG increases your body’s metabolism and the ability to burn fat. Visceral fat or fat in your abdomen seems to be particularly susceptible and active to EGCG effects. EGCG is important and beneficial for people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and are overweight. The mode of action for EGCG may increase delivery of stored fat to cells for oxidation or increase fat burning capabilities. Alison Hill and colleagues in “Can EGCG Reduce Abdominal Fat in Obese Subjects,” found EGCG did not promote fat loss, but stated a higher dose of EGCG along with caffeine may produce increased fat loss. Hill and colleagues did find subjects with glucose issues had a reduction in circulating glucose levels, which often accompanies weight issues.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome : Research at Panjab University Chandigarh found that EGCG is effective in various mouse models of chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Sjögren's syndrome : Research at Medical College of Georgia found that EGCG was effective in a mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome.
- Alzheimer's disease or dementia : Green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate modulates amyloid precursor protein cleavage and reduces cerebral amyloidosis in Alzheimer transgenic mice.
