Green Tea EGCG And Muscular Dystrophy ResearchEGCG And Muscular Dystrophy ResearchDuchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DBMD or DMD), is an inherited genetic condition causing muscles to deteriorate. It occurs in approximately 500 newborn boys in the United States every year. It is extremely rare for a girl to have muscular dystrophy, although women can carry the gene. The boys are usually diagnosed between the age of 3 and 6 years old, and by age 12 are usually unable to walk. It is almost always fatal in the teenage years or by the early 20's. There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, but steroids have been used to slow the muscular degeneration (CDC). Now a new study may open doors for more research on muscular dystrophy. Using an animal model of muscular dystrophy, researchers injected EGCG, the primary antioxidant catechin in green tea, under the skin of the backs of mice. This was done 4 times a week for 8 weeks. Compared to controls, the EGCG injections lowered the serum creatine kinase levels to normal. Lipofuscin granules in the muscles were reduced by 50%. Lipofuscin, also called liver spots when found on the skin, is a fatty pigment considered a sign of early aging. The EGCG research mice also had almost double the amount of normal muscle tissue, with a substantial reduction in damaged muscle and connective tissue. The strength of the muscles also increased to almost normal (Nakae Y, Histochemistry and Cell Biology, 2008). This study is considered preliminary and further studies are needed to know if these benefits of EGCG and muscular dystrophy research would be long term, or would be useful for people with muscular dystrophy.
Green tea varieties: Dragon Well | Mao Feng | Matcha | Gunpowder Green | Pi Lo Chun | Gyokuro | Lu Shan Yun Wu | Japanese Sencha | Lu An Melon Seed | Jasmine | Blooming Tea | Chun Mee | All Flavored | Organically Grown | Premium Estates
This page was last updated by Sharon Jones on February 1, 2012. Return from EGCG And Muscular Dystrophy to Green Tea Health News Home
|
Tearoom Boosters
Have you had a wonderful experience at a local tearoom, tea house, inn, or hotel for a special afternoon tea or even just a great cup of refreshing green tea?
You can give their business a boost by telling the world what makes their afternoon teas memorable here.
Just click on your country, province, or state and complete the form there.
If your country is not listed yet, you can use the form on the World Tearooms page, and we’ll hurry up to make sure your country is represented for The Best Afternoon Tea.
More Tea And Goodies
Subscribe to the free e-zine, Green Tea Health News for new recipes, interesting products, hot deals, and more.Subscribe now and don't miss a single issue.