Green Tea - The Powerhouse Supplement!

Green Tea is one of the most amazing substances.  Every time I turn around I see a new article or study about the amazing properties of green tea.  Unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard a lot about it’s cancer fighting, anti-oxidant properties.  It is one of my favorite supplements because it fits perfectly with my philosophy of supplementation: any supplement I take must be reasonably old (at least 5-10 years or more), well studied, and have no negative side effects.  Why would you want to take something to enhance you now if it would kill you later?

I would like to relay a old Chinese proverb: 

"Better to be deprived of food for three days than green tea for one."

I heard this proverb years ago and basically blew it off.  When I started to learn more about green tea, I realized the proverb has some weight to it. 

To date there have been thousands of studies on Green Tea and more specifically EGCg.  EGCg is Epigallocatechin 3-gallate.  It is the most studied chatechin (compound) in green tea.  It is not the only one, but the most popular.  EGCg and or Green Tea has been shown to:

• Build bone
• Reduces inflammation (exercise induced or otherwise)
• Inhibits (not cures) the following cancer lines: Oral, gastric, breast, skin, pancreatic, and others
• Has strong effect against H1N1, and other “type A” influenza viruses
• Slows function of enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates
• Increases maximal oxygen uptake (and presumably exercise performance but I have not seen this personally)
• Helps with Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lower cholesterol
• Reduces Infection rates
• Seems to help your body burn more calories (But I don’t find this to be a significant amount).

The list goes on and on.

Here are the ways I use it; see if they work for you.

1. Green tea is useful after or between meals to stop the urge to eat more.  Have a decent meal and then use it to cut the cravings.
2. Green tea after a workout is like a “switch” for me.  If I work out VERY hard, it seems to set me back in balance.  I find that about 15 minutes after drinking or taking the supplement, I can function again.  Without green tea, coming back to functionality takes MUCH longer.  I’m looking for research on this but so far I can only find that it reduces DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)
3. When fasting, green tea cuts my appetite.  When you are fasting the concentration of EGCG goes up 3.5 TIMES, that’s 3500% increase in concentration in your blood.  This multiplies the effect.

Where to get it?  The cheapest way is to brew a cup.  This is good because there IS more to green tea that just EGCg.  However, for those of you who despise its taste, try a pill. My favorite brand of green tea supplement is called EGCG and is made by “NOWfoods.”  The cheapest place I have found to purchase this brand is www.swansonvitamins.com.   Most brands do NOT have enough EGCG in them (the label should tell you how much EGCg you’re getting; about 200 mg is good and is equivalent to 3 cups of tea) and even Swanson’s own brand doesn’t have enough. Don’t but the Swanson’s brand, but the NOW brand and it is available on this site.  

I find it to be one of the most perfect sports supplements on many levels.  First, it seems to simply be better for my general, immune, inflammatory and even neurological health.  Second, it stops me from frivolous calories.  Third, it reduces the inflammation caused by exercise and fourth, helps me to function afterwards.  The caffeine can even give you a little lift before you hit the workout!

A good amount seems to be about 3-4 cups of tea a day spread out at different times. This seems to be the most common level for research and suits my lifestyle well.

So grab some of that zero calorie craziness and accelerate your results!