Green tea may be of use in the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer

According to a study just published in the journal, Cancer Prevention Research, consumption of Polyphenon E (an

investigational agent derived from the polyphenols found in green tea) can reduce the serum markers used to monitor prostate cancer's progress. The researchers concluded that regular consumption of green tea could be of use in slowing the progression of prostate cancer and perhaps prevent the disease altogether.

Green tea: Teas come in three basic varieties: black, oolong, and green, the last containing the highest concentration of polyphenols, a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the body's cells from damage, neutralizing free radicals - molecules believed to cause a range of diseases as well as contribute to the aging process. Over the centuries, green tea has been used for everything from constipation to mental performance.

Polyphenols: Green tea is not the sole source of polyphenols. While fruits and beverages (such as tea) happen to be our main source of these molecules, they can be found in a variety of plants, both edible and not. In addition, polyphenols come in literally hundreds of variations. Polyphenols perform the same basic task for plant cells as they do for human cells – they Polyphenol examples

repair damage. Various factors affect polyphenol content – soil type, light exposure, and industrial processing are just a few. Sustainable agriculture probably produces plants with higher polyphenol content because the plants must fend for themselves, producing polyphenols to repair the normal stresses of their environment (in contrast, a plant grown in an artificially controlled environment faces fewer stresses and has less need for cellular repair). The reason green tea contains such a high concentration of polyphenols may be because its processing time is extremely brief. Adding milk to your cup of green tea isn't advised as it can inactivate the polyphenols, depriving you of their antioxidant benefits.

The study: This latest study was designed to monitor for a change in the biomarkers which predict prostate cancer progression – HGF, VEGF, and PSA. The authors pointed out the lack of studies focusing on these biomarkers as well as any definitive research regarding green tea’s role in prostate cancer. The study included 26 men, all with prostate cancer and all scheduled for radical prostatectomy. For a median time of 35 days, the men were administered four capsules containing Polyhenon E (totalling approximately 1.3 g of tea polyphenols). Biomarker levels were measured at the study’s start and again before surgery. The researchers noted impressive decreases in biomarker levels, some up to 30%. Just as important, no elevation in liver enzymes were noted and the treatment was well tolerated.

The bottome line: While promising, the study is limited by several factors. First, the study was not randomized (no one received placebo). In other words, there’s no way to be sure that the improvement in biomarkers wasn’t due to some other cause, such as the men eating a more balanced diet because they were preparing for surgery. In addition, Polyphenon E is an investigational agent. To consume the same amount of polyphenols as the men in the study did, you would need to drink about 12 cups of green tea daily.

Nevertheless, the results are promising. According to William G. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D, of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, “ ..this trial is provocative enough to consider a more substantial trial.”

Green tea is available at pretty much every grocery store, although to obtain it in leaf form, you'll probably need to visit a special market or health store. Stores specializing in oriental cuisine likely to carry a variety of green teas (the Japanese are said to drink 5 to 6 cups of green tea a day). An extensive list of Chinese groceries can be found by clicking on this link: www.chicagochinatown.com/grocers.html . If you're preparing the tea, this website provides a nice, step by step guide: www.taichiwang.com/green_tea.htm .

Merz Apothecary at 4716 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 www.smallflower.com is another great place for obtaining green tea and it's staffed with people who can provide you with in-depth information on any number of topics.

For more information about herbal treatments, you also can check out some of my earlier postings, which include further recommendations for where to purchase herbs and teas: www.examiner.com/x-7503-Chicago-Health-Care-Examiner.

Finallly, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) maintains a website with information about all forms of cancer as well as future avenues of study. Green tea and prostate cancer is slated for more research.