Green Tea Extract Benefits

What are the known green tea extract benefits? The only thing that we know for sure is that catechins found in the teas are antioxidants and antioxidants protect the cells of the body from free radicals, one of the primary causes of cellular aging.

Free radicals are molecules that are found within the cells and in the spaces between them. Exposure to toxins causes them to behave erratically, causing damage to the cellular membranes, the body's fibers and to the DNA strands within the cell.

When the DNA strands become damage, cellular reproduction becomes faulty. The cell may reproduce to form a cancer cell or it may simply be weaker than its parent cell. Antioxidants are defensive molecules that neutralize free radicals and prevent them from damaging our bodies.

That's why you will see it said that one of the green tea extract benefits is in the area of cancer prevention. According to scientific studies, the extracts may reduce your chance of getting stomach cancer by as much as 50% and throat cancer by 11%. Most of us want to do everything that we can to avoid that disease.

Another of the green tea extract benefits is in the area of heart disease prevention. It is believed that the tea-catechins are responsible for what is known as the Japanese paradox. Despite high numbers of smokers, the incidence of heart disease is lower than would be expected.

But, for heart disease prevention, there are a number of important supplements, including omega3 fatty acids and a unique antioxidant known as resveratrol.

That antioxidant was found when researchers were looking at the "French" paradox, which is lower than expected cases of heart disease, despite a diet that is high in saturated fat. Red wine, a favorite beverage, was found to contain this antioxidant called resveratrol and it is believed to be the cause of the reduced incidence of heart disease.

Suppose you wanted to counter the other causes of cellular aging. One of them is glycation. In the bloodstream, glucose attaches itself to protein molecules and form what is referred to as a "grotesque" molecule.

These molecules cannot be used by the cells for energy or as a building block. As they decompose, they release toxic end-products that increase the number and activity of free radicals.

Preventing glycation is not one of the green tea extract benefits. The only nutrient that is known to oppose glycation is carnosine, a peptide composed of the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine.

It is not considered an essential dietary component, because, under normal situations, the body can synthesize it. But it has been found that carnosine levels are lower in the elderly and in those with age-related diseases.

Carnosine also has antioxidant activity, as well as the anti-glycation activity mentioned above and it helps to rid the body of heavy metals. The most effective anti-aging supplements combine the green tea extract benefits with those of carnosine, resveratrol and other important nutrients.

That's the kind of supplement that I recommend for everyone.

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By Mo Devine

Mo Devine is a consumer advocate and a dedicated researcher who has been on a quest to find the best nutritional supplements available. After extensive research, she has found an exceptional nutritional supplement that is now the foundation of her own health program. Visit her website at http://healthysupplementsforlife.info/ to discover what she personally recommends and why.