Understanding Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
Epigallocatechin gallate is a type of catechin. These are compounds with proven health benefits. It is also a natural antioxidant! In fact, it is the strongest and most abundant antioxidant in green tea. Research shows that epigallocatechin gallate treats and prevents many health conditions. However, consuming too much has significant side effects!
This is one of the best green tea catechins. In fact, it is a significant reason behind individuals drinking green tea as a weight loss method. It is one of the best natural remedies for weight loss! Some individuals take green tea capsules for this purpose instead. In both cases, patients must understand this compound and how it works first.
Sources Of Epigallocatechin Gallate
Epigallocatechin gallate has many sources, such as teas, vegetables, nuts, fruits, and even supplements! Carob flour is another great source. This flour, which is made from carob tree pods, is a cocoa alternative! It is one of the most abundant sources of epigallocatechin gallate. Green tea has the most of this catechin when it comes to teas. White tea is next! Oolong and black teas also have significant amounts, though they contain less than green and white teas.
Fruits and vegetables do not contain as much of this catechin as teas. However, they still work! Of course, some fruits and vegetables are considered better sources than others. Fuji apples are the best out of this category. Other fruits that have a high amount of this catechin are blackberries, plums, cranberries, and raspberries! Strawberries, peaches, and avocadoes are among the unreliable sources. In terms of nuts, the best sources are hazelnuts and pecans!
Continue reading to learn how this catechin works next.
How It Works
Free radicals are molecules in the body. They are a major source of cell damage, often from oxidization. Thankfully, individuals protect themselves from free radicals in many ways, including antioxidants. According to research, epigallocatechin gallate has strong antioxidant properties. One of the processes that this substance benefits is apoptosis. This process is where the patient's immune system detects and removes damaged and infected cells. It even gets rid of cancerous cells!
Epigallocatechin gallate is also effective at reducing inflammation. It does this through cytokines, which are proteins that impact an individual's immune system. This substance stops the proinflammatory cytokines. They are the ones that cause inflammation!
Discover the uses for this catechin next.
Uses
Many clinical trials are studying epigallocatechin gallate. They believe that it is a strong treatment for many medical conditions! Part of this is because it is an antioxidant. It also has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Among these studies are many on weight loss. They indicate that obese patients will achieve significant weight loss after twelve weeks of drinking green tea every day. Of course, the tea has to contain up to 460 milligrams of epigallocatechin gallate! This substance also reduces oxidative stress. Thus, many researchers claim that it treats fatty liver disease, cancer, and premature aging, among other conditions.
Some new treatments combine chemotherapy with this catechin. They are undergoing testing! Some studies also indicate that this substance prevents brain damage from neurodegenerative conditions. One such condition, of course, is Alzheimer's disease!
Review the side effects and risks next.
Side Effects And Risks
The benefits of this catechin are well-documented. of course, the benefits often come from natural sources. Highly-processed sources of epigallocatechin gallate have some side effects and risks! Green tea is safe and incredibly healthy for individuals. This is not always the case with green tea powder and supplements. Research shows that high amounts of this compound cause oxidative stress. The risk of this is highest with supplements! The result is systemic inflammation and a range of diseases.
This catechin also has a risk of liver damage and the destruction of the epithelial lining. This lining protects many organs! Research suggests that diabetes patients are at an increased risk of side effects from epigallocatechin gallate. This research comes from mice who were given this substance having a higher mortality rate due to kidney damage. Of course, patients must consume an abnormally high amount for this to happen!
Get the details on the dosage instructions next.
Dosage Instructions
The best dosage of epigallocatechin gallate depends on the form. In green tea, individuals need to drink between ninety to three hundred milligrams daily. This is safe and healthy! Unfortunately, supplements and processed forms mean that patients often consume much more. In fact, some individuals will consume over one thousand milligrams a day. This is dangerous!
There are no universal guidelines regarding epigallocatechin gallate consumption. Of course, some precautions are recommended! Most studies say that patients have to avoid supplements unless their doctor has directed them otherwise. Some studies claim that this catechin becomes dangerous after eight hundred milligrams in a day because of organ damage. Others limit consumption to no more than 338 milligrams daily in solid form to avoid side effects.