The British Journal of Nutrition has published the findings of a research study saying that the inclusion of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the diet helps delay the progress of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in mice which are considered as non-obese diabetic (NOD).

The risk for developing type-1 DM was significantly reduced by up to 40 percent.  The report was written by a team of researchers coming from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

A Closer Look at Type-1 Diabetes

Type-1 diabetes takes place when a person is not anymore able to produce insulin.  Normally, insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas.  Damage to these cells would therefore result to compromised insulin production. In the case of type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune response is thought to be responsible for causing damage to the cells present in the pancreas. The disease condition is most commonly found in people with European descent.  At present, around two million North Americans and Europeans are diagnosed with type-1 diabetes.  Furthermore, the incidence of type-1 diabetes increases up to three percent each year.  This data is according to the Archives of Disease in Childhood. New cases are expected to shoot up by 40 percent between the years 2000 and 2010.

Also known as juvenile-onset and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, type-1 DM can potentially occur regardless of age, although the most common diagnosis is made on children, adolescents or young adults. During the initial stage of the disease, when the problem simply revolves around an increase in blood sugar levels, the patient will exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

• Numbness or a tingling sensation in the feet
• Blurred vision
• Unintended weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Frequent thirst
• Frequent hunger pangs
• Easy fatigability

As the condition progresses and the damage in the cells of the pancreas start to become widespread, the body will no longer be able to produce insulin completely.  Warning signs of a deteriorating condition are as follows:

• Severe stomach pain
• Inability to hold down fluids which results to nausea and vomiting
• Fruity odour of the breath
• Flushing of the skin, especially the face
• Dry skin
• Dry mouth
• Rapid and deep breathing

EGCG and Diabetes

The compounds that are thought to be responsible for the beneficial health effects associated with green tea are called catechins – polyphenolic compounds that have been the subject of many prior studies regarding green tea.  Catechins are said to exhibit antioxidant properties which plays a role in cancer prevention and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.  Some research studies have also proposed a possible association between diabetes risk and the consumption of green tea, saying that green tea consumption could bring about reasonable benefits for insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis.

The new study made use of mice which developed type-1 diabetes spontaneously.  The mice were then separated into two groups.  The first group was fed with a control diet; the second group was given supplemental doses of 0.05 percent epigallocatechin gallate mixed with the water that they are drinking.

According to the report, upon reaching the age of 32 weeks, 67 percent, or 8 out of 12, of the mice belonging to the control group reportedly developed diabetes.  Only 25 percent (3 out of 12) of the mice who were in the EGCG group became diabetics.  The researchers also said that the group of mice that were supplemented with EGCG had higher survival rates and higher levels of insulin as compared to those who belonged to the control group. The EGCG group also exhibited increased levels of anti-inflammatory compounds.

The Benefits of EGCG

Green tea has been the subject of numerous studies every year.  Despite the fact that green tea contains 200, or more, bioactive compounds, EGCG is by far the most popular.  EGCG is the most potent and the most abundant antioxidant that is found in green tea.

Aside from its effects on diabetes, EGCG in green tea also has health benefits which could help a person attain excellent overall health.  Here are five conditions that are affected by EGCG:

• Atherosclerosis

Defined as the clogging of arteries due to the deposition of fatty plaques in the walls of the arteries, atherosclerosis is a major risk factor of heart attack and stroke.  The Western world is still plagued by the high incidence of atherosclerosis, more made worse by poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

EGCG has been discovered to reduce one’s risk for atherosclerosis.  It possesses potent anti-inflammatory characteristics that help reduce inflammatory processes in the arteries preventing the build-up of plaques.  EGCG also helps lower one’s blood pressure levels by decreasing the work load in the heart.

Japanese studies revealed that EGCG helps lower the levels of bad cholesterol, or LDLs, while raising good cholesterol, or HDL, levels.

• Obesity

Obesity is an ever-present problem in today’s world – and the numbers of obese individuals are on the rise.  The condition may be a precursor of many medical conditions such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke and arthritis among others. EGCG helps a person lose weight by reducing the storage of fat, by increasing the burning of fat, and by increasing the speed of metabolism.

• Cancer

Because the body is continuously exposed to free radicals, the damage to DNA is inevitable.  This may cause cancer to develop.  Sadly, the cure to some forms of cancer is not yet available, so we must do what we can to prevent it.

EGCG is a very powerful antioxidant that nature has provided us with.  The antioxidants are responsible for neutralizing free radicals so that they could not cause harm to the body.

• Arthritis

In a study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan Health System, findings revealed that EGCG helps protect the cartilage from being destroyed, as seen in the joints of arthritic patients.  EGCG is said to benefit patients diagnosed with arthritis since it possess anti-inflammatory properties.  Specifically, EGCG has the ability to decrease the levels of a pro-inflammatory cytokine known as prostaglandin E2.

Although studies regarding the direct effect of EGCG on joint health, patients with arthritis have reported feeling better when they are drinking green tea.

• Premature Aging

Because of its ability to neutralize free radicals, EGCG has also been known to combat the signs of premature aging such as wrinkled and sagging skin. EGCG helps optimize, repair and strengthen cellular health.

Sources
nlm.nih.gov
amazing-green-tea.com
nutraingredients.com