Green Tea Antioxidants May Fight Arthritis

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Green Tea Antioxidants May Fight Arthritis

July 23, 1999

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Studies in mice suggest that green tea

antioxidants may have a powerful effect in reducing the incidence and

severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Polyphenols -- antioxidants found in green tea -- " possess much more potent

antioxidant activity than well-known antioxidants such as vitamin C and

vitamin E, " explained study lead author Dr. Tariq Haqqi of Case Western

Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Recent studies have indicated that green tea polyphenols reduce levels of

oxidative stress within cells, lowering risks for heart disease and certain

cancers.

Haqqi's team focused on the effect of these polyphenols in rheumatoid

arthritis, an autoimmune disorder in which joints are gradually infiltrated

by inflammatory cells. The disease is most common in middle-aged women and is

characterized by painful swelling and destruction of cartilage and bone.

Mice used in the Cleveland study were fed either plain water or water

enriched with green tea polyphenols, with dosages roughly equivalent to a

human drinking four cups of green tea per day.

Each of the mice were then injected with collagen, rendering them vulnerable

to collagen-induced arthritis -- a condition very similar to human rheumatoid

arthritis.

Haqqi's team reports in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

that mice fed green tea polyphenols " were significantly less susceptible to

the development of collagen-induced arthritis, and if they developed

arthritis, the disease was late in onset and mild in comparison to mice not

given green tea polyphenols. " Overall, just 8 out of 18 mice receiving

polyphenols developed arthritis, compared with 17 of the 18 mice who did not

receive the compounds.

Microscopic examination of joint tissues revealed " only marginal...

infiltration " of autoimmune cells in the joints of mice receiving

polyphenols, versus " massive " infiltration in mice on normal diets, according

to the investigators.

In a related Case Western Reserve University statement, Haqqi noted that " for

many generations, in some parts of the world -- including India, China and

Japan -- green tea has been considered to possess health-promoting potential

by preventing many illnesses. " Anecdotal evidence suggests that rates of

rheumatoid arthritis in these countries may be much lower than those seen

elsewhere.

Haqqi says green tea has already proven effective in reducing rates of other

chronic illnesses. " Perhaps now arthritis can be added to the list, " he said

in a statement.

SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1999;96:4524-4529.

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All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a

substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.

You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and

consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/23/99 11:04:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Lxj@...

writes:

<< Green Tea Antioxidants May Fight Arthritis >>

I don't know. I have been taking it for 2 months. 20 drops a day and I'm as

bad as ever, maybe worse. ha ha

Anita