I drink green tea on a daily basis for its health benefits. I personally believe that drinking a few cups of high quality green tea consistently on a daily basis will improve my health. I believe this just as I believe that eating a healthy diet, exercising daily, sleeping well, and relieving stress will also improve my health and the overall quality of life.
Green tea appears to be rich in antioxidants. Recent studies in leading medical journals suggest tea is a potential heart tonic, cancer blocker, fat buster, immune stimulant, arthritis soother, virus fighter and cholesterol detoxifier. You should always check with your doctor about the validity of such claims before you use green tea for its medicinal benefits and make it a regular part of your diet.
Besides drinking green tea, lately I have been reading about other alleged benefits of green tea, such as green tea cream for skin care to fight acne and to help treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
Androgenetic Alopecia (aka Male Pattern Baldness)
Although both men and women can suffer significant hair loss, over 50% of men will suffer with Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), also known as androgenetic alopecia, at some point in their lives. The reason behind hair loss is a genetically inherited sensitivity to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5-alpha-reductase. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone, a male hormone, to DHT, the substance identified as the end-cause for hair loss.
Green Tea Catechins
A study shows that the green tea catechins, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and epicatechin-3-gallate are potent inhibitors of Type 1 5-alpha-reductase (the enzyme that binds with testosterone to form DHT).
Hair Loss Study Abstract
Selective inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
Title
Selective inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
Author
Liao S; Hiipakka RA
Address
Ben May Institute, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Source
Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1995 Sep 25, 214:3, 833-8
Abstract
Inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase may be effective in the treatment of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone-dependent abnormalities, such as benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer and certain skin diseases. The green tea catechins, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (-)epicatechin-3-gallate, but not (-)epicatechin and (-)epigallocatechin, are potent inhibitors of type 1 but not type 2 5 alpha-reductase. (-)Epigallocatechin-3-gallate also inhibits accessory sex gland growth in the rat. These results suggest that certain tea gallates can regulate androgen action in target organs.
Language of Publication
LA=ENG
Unique Identifier
96024574
Read the published article here.
Again, always check with your doctor about the use of green tea for hair loss and regrowth as well as whether you should add it to your diet. I only post this information for educational purposes. Green tea contains caffeine, which has all the side effects of caffeine.
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