Green_tea | The Health Blogger

Green Tea and Resistance Training

April 4th, 2008

Green Tea

Study Info.

You’ve guessed it, yet another study expounding the great benefits of green tea.

So what was the study about and what did it show?

The study investigated the effects of the consumption of green tea for 7 days on biomarkers (i.e. indicators) of oxidative stress in young men undergoing resistance exercise.

Blood samples were taken before and after exercise and were analysed for total antioxidant capacity.

The control group (i.e. those who didn’t drink green tea) had reduced levels of Glutathione (a very strong antioxidant produced in the body). In addition other activities increased in the control group as a result of exercise (i.e. by-products: creatine kinase (CK), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) & xanthine oxidase (XO)).

Green tea reduced the post-exercise concentration of some of the above by-products and increased the values of total polyphenols (antioxidants from Green Tea) and Glutathione. Green tea also inhibited a significant rise in the other by-products, namely CK and XO activities.

Conclusion


	Consumption of GT, a beverage rich in polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative damage caused by exercise, and dietary guidance for sports participants should be emphasized.

Source: Journal of Nutrition

polyphenol

antioxidant

green tea

resistance training

Nutrigenomics: The new way forward for your nutritional needs?

February 21st, 2008

Nutrigenomics

It sometimes confusing when one is bombarded with disparate views on various health topics. For example, one minute we are told that coffee is good for us, the next we are told that it is bad. What the…!? Okay, confusing is not the right word…maybe frustrating? Annoying? Sort it out Mr. Scientist? You get my point.

I’m about to present to you a fascinating way to discover the benefits of foods catered specifically for you (soon), yes you the individual! Well, it’s nothing really to do with me. I came across an interview conducted by Dr. John Berardi where he interviewed Dr. El-Sohemy in regards to ‘Nutrigenomics’. I found it so interesting I had to publish the article here.

Here’s an extract from the email I received from Dr.Berardi:

For example, what if I were to tell you that:

- Coffee reduces your risk of heart disease by 3x,
if you have one very specific gene

- However, if you have the opposite gene, your risk
goes up 10x

Also, what if I were to tell you that:

- Fish oil lowers blood lipids (like triglycerides),
if you have one very specific gene

- However, if you have the opposite gene, you don’t
get the same benefits

In addition, what if I were to tell you that:

- 3-5 cups of green tea per day is highly
beneficial, if you have one very specific gene

- However, if you have the opposite gene, you’ll
only need 1-2 cups for the same benefits

Well, I’m going to be telling you all of these things - and
more - in the following interview, an interview that
promises to change the way you view nutrition.

So without further to do, here’s the link:

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/members/showthread.php?t=10829

or alternatively:

http://www.t-nation.com/article/diet_and_nutrition/applied_nutrigenomics&cr=

P.S. I highly recommend Dr. Berardi’s ‘Precision Nutrition’ programme for weight loss/gain and healthier eating recipes.

Green Tea: Yet another study and yet another benefit!

January 23rd, 2008

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests that green tea may stop the build-up of fatty deposits in the liver - offering yet another beneficial use - as a lipotropic.

Though the actual study was done with mice, researchers are confident that there could be a similar effect with humans.

Fatty liver is usually a symptomless condition associated with alcoholism, though more recently it has been on the rise due to non-alcohol related factors - nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The study suggested that the green tea extract worked by decreasing intestinal fat absorption or altering liver fat metabolism.

“In conclusion, this study provides evidence that GTE (Greent Tea Extract) protectsagainst the development of hepatic steatosis…” (i.e. fatty liver) “…and reduces hepaticinjury…” (i.e. liver damage).

Source:
Bruno, R.S., Dugan, C.E., Smyth, J.A., DiNatale, D.A., Koo, S.I., “Green tea extract protects leptin-deficient, spontaneously obese mice from hepatic steatosis and injury”, Journal of Nutrition, Volume 138, Pages 323-331, February 2008.