More evidence that Green Tea Extract is very important for diabetics

One of the major effects of diabetes is damage to blood vessel walls leading to cardiovascular disease. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. In this study rats were given a single dose of the antibiotic streptozotocin - this drug quickly causes diabetes. Six weeks after diabetes developed Green Tea Extract (GTE) was given to a group of the rats. Those rats not given GTE had a significant increase in systolic blood pressure and blood sugar. Levels of the antioxidants Vitamin C and Glutathione decreased and the level of lipid peroxides shot up (lipid peroxides damage blood vessel walls and other tissues). There was an increase in inflammation, damage, glycation (protein cross linkages) and a build up of tissue in the aortic artery of these rats. Conversely, systolic blood pressure and blood sugar were significantly reduced in the rats given GTE by mouth. The level of lipid peroxides decreased and Vitamin C and Glutathione levels improved. GTE decreased cross-linkages (glycation) and impeded the accumulation of gunk on the wall of the aortic artery. The study is published in the April 2006 issue of the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Yesterday we reported that taking a combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ibuprofen prevented the onset of Alzheimer's disease in patients who inherited a gene from their parents that puts them at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Diet high in healthy foods, fiber and supplemented Sterols very effective in lowering LDL-cholesterol

In this study 66 patients with high LDL-cholesterol were placed on a diet that included soy protein rich foods, fiber or psyllium husks supplementation, Plant Sterols (added to a spread) and almonds. Some of the participants were previously included in a statin drug trial. It was found that for those on the nutrients and diet, the level of LDL dropped significantly with a third of the participants achieving a drop in LDL exceeding 20%, a result that matched the statin drug trial result. The study is published in the March 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.