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Green Tea and CLL
What is the link between Green Tea and CLL?
Researchers
at Mayo Clinic have provided preliminary evidence to sustain a positive relation
between Green Tea and CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) prevention and treatment,
as well as a protective effect against some types of cancer, due to its antioxidant
components. However, results from human studies have been contradictory. Findings
are published online in Leukemia Research.
What is CLL?
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
(CLL) is a blood and bone marrow cancer that affects hundreds of thousands new patients
each year world wide. It is called chronic leukemia because it progresses more
slowly than acute leukemia, and lymphocytic because it affects the lymphocytes -
the white blood cells which typically fight infections. CLL it’s described by an
abnormal increase of the number of white blood cells, which then infiltrate the
bone marrow, causing a decrease in the production of normal blood cells, and their
malfunction.
Why Green Tea?
Green Tea is rich in catechin polyphenols,
particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a very powerful anti-oxidant and also an
inhibitor for the growth of cancer cells. EGCG kills cancer cells without harming
healthy tissue. It has also been proven that Green Tea could be very effective in
lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood
clots.
What gives Green Tea it's particular and exceptional qualities is the way
it is processed. Unless other types of tea leaves, which are made from fermented
leaves, Green Tea leaves are steamed, which will prevent the EGCG compound from
being oxidized and will make it more effective in preventing and fighting various
diseases.
Tea drinking is an ancient tradition dating back 5,000 years in China
and India. Those cultures have always considered drinking Green Tea as an aid to
good health. More recently, scientists have started to study the health effects of Green Tea more closely in lab animals and in observational human studies.
What is the evidence of Green Tea and CLL treatment? Recent studies at Mayo Clinic have
shown that green tea has activity against cancer cells. Three of the four patients
which started to take green tea capsules and drink green tea have shown impressive
results in the regression of the cancer tumors. It is tempting to assume that drinking
Green Tea may also help prevent certain cancers, but studies in humans are still
inconclusive.
Laboratory studies have shown that tea anti-oxidants (catechins) act
as powerful inhibitors of specific enzyme activities that lead to cancer:
- scavenge and seize oxidants before cell injuries occur
- target and repair DNA aberrations caused by oxidants
- reduce the incidence and size of chemically induced tumors
- stop the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), therefore cutting off
the supply of blood to cancer cells
- inhibit the growth of tumor cells
Green tea has long been considered to have cancer-prevention capabilities. At this time, although
there is no conclusive evidence that green tea can help prevent or treat cancer,
it is exciting that research is demonstrating a link between Green Tea and CLL treatment,
and it provides new hope for chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.
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