Bill Henderson Recommends Green Tea Extract
As one of the key elements in his protocol, Bill Henderson recommends Green Tea Extract, along with Heart Plus, and Multi-Veggies (a new name, but still our same great chlorophyll-rich, alkalizing blend of vegetable and other greens)
Green Tea Overview
Green tea has been used for over 5,000 years for to support healthy digestion, mood maintenance, immune enhancement, detoxification, energy enhancement, and anti-aging. Unlike black and oolong teas, green tea does not endure a fermentation process and thus retains a host of beneficial phytonutrients.
EGCG – Supporting the Immune System & More
Specifically, green tea contains high concentrations of polyphenols – plant-derived antioxidant compounds linked to health benefits ranging from immune system support to cardiovascular health.
The primary polyphenols found in green tea include four catechins -- epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) being the most potent and extensively researched. As an antioxidant, EGCG ranks up there with ascorbate (vitamin C) and glutathione, and helps move harmful substances and unwanted microbes out of the body!
Cardiovascular, Nervous System & Bone Density Support
Green tea’s heart health benefits stem from its ability to soothe and normalize on cells and spur the production of nitric oxide, which acts to keep blood vessels relaxed and blood pumping efficiently.
Green tea has also shown promise with regard to neurological and brain health by scavenging free-radicals and supporting healthy neuron function.
In addition to its well-known heart health benefits, green tea’s flavonoids and phytoestrogens support bone mineral density.
Energy Efficiency and Calorie Burning
Everyone seems to be interested in weight loss these days, so “thermogenic” agents -- which increase heat and speed up the metabolism – are getting more and more attention.
In a 1999 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea was shown to support healthy thermogenic activity of the body – including energy efficiency, exercise capacity, and fat burning potential, all beyond the levels that would be explained by its caffeine content.
Caffeine versus “Decaf”
While our Green Tea Extract has been decaffeinated, there is a common misunderstanding that “decaf” equals caffeine-free, which is not so. For those sensitive to caffeine, here’s what you should know about the caffeine content in Our Health Co-op's Green Tea Extract and how it compares to other common beverages.
- Coffee (8 oz brewed) = 135mg
- Black tea (8 oz) = 40-70mg
- Green tea (8 oz) = 25-40mg
- Cola (1 can) = 35-55mg
- Our Health Co-op’s Green Tea Extract (1 capsule) = 7mg
- Decaf coffee (8 oz) = 5mg
- Decaf black tea (8 oz) = 4mg
The numbers show that our Green Tea Extract is in the range of “decaf” beverages, but still merits tracking for those sensitive to caffeine.
Meanwhile, green tea can come in various forms, including the whole leaves (used in beverages and some supplements) and in an extract form (with standardized percentages of stated active ingredients, such as polyphenol and catechin contents).
Notes:
- Avoid taking green tea with milk. Milk might bind the antioxidants in tea and reduce their benefits.
- Green Tea mouthwashes have been shown to support gum and dental health
- Green tea polyphenols have shown to suppress the growth of unwanted microbes in the gut, but not the growth of gut-friendly bacteria like lactobacillus.
Our first production run of Green Tea Extract 400mg passed with flying colors, boasting over 425mg green tea and over 212mg EGCG! Click
here for the official report.
Studies:
Psychopharmacol 1998; 140:116-19
Life Sci 2001; 68:1207-14
Free Radic Biol Med 2002;33:1097-105
J Nutr 2002;132:341-6
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1999;96:4564-9.
J Surg Res 2004;119:138-42
Ann Nutr Metab 2004;48:151-5
Great product, great price 
