|
Posted on 12/15/05
Japanese Green Tea
Controls High Blood Pressure Levels
By Janina Kulhay-Matsuda
High blood pressure paces a serious burden on the vascular system and contributes to atherosclerosis. Atherosciersis will in turn precipitate heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases and conditions, if it is not checked and treated in its early stages.
The causes of heart disease are not fully understood, but it is clear that a chemical called angiotensin II plays a key role in high blood pressure, due to essential hypertension and arterial stenosis of the kidneys.
Blood contains the substance angiotensinogen with is transformed to angiotensin I under the action of the enzyme rennin, from the kidneys. Another enzyme called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) then changes angiotensin 1 into angiotensin 2, which is an extremely strong vascular constrictor. It is this constriction of the blood vessels that leads to high levels of blood pressure and may in turn cause disease.
Dr Hara has documented that green tea catechins impede the action of ACE and suppress production of angiotensin II he also conclusively demonstrated that the administration of green tea catechins to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) limits increases in the blood pressure of rats. (SHR rats are models for human high blood pressure experiments.) At five weeks old, blood pressure levels were noted at 130-140 mmHg. By the age of 10weeks, after a diat of normal feed, blood pressure levels increased to more then 200mmHg. But the blood pressure of rats which were fed 0.5% green tea catechins, mixed into their feed, remained substantially below 200mmHg. Further, exchanging the feed of the two groups, at 16 weeks of age, led to a complete reversal in blood pressure between the two groups.
Other related studies have indicated that the rare amino acid called, “L-Theanine” (found in abundance in Japanese green tea), while effecting the chemical state of the brain, also positively effects the peripheral nervous system, diminishing hypertension and contribute to normalizing blood pressure.
These results indicate that green tea catechins have the ability to prevent a rise in blood pressure and that by consuming a moderate amount of green tea, on a regular, daily basis, blood pressure levels can be inhibited and they may in fact be reduced or reversed, improving overall heath. This is significant news for those suffering with the side-effects of high blood pressure and who are forced to manage their condition with prescription drugs.
Dr. Fukui, of Nihon Medical College has further documented that green tea helps to metabolize cholesterol and in turn prevents arterial sclerosis. Dr Aoki, of Nagoya University also reports that Japanese green tea has been conclusively tested and documented, as it effectively prevents cerebral apoplexy, heart disease and possesses anti-thrombotic properties, which are highly beneficial for cardio and stroke conditions.
A vast body of scientific research and documented testing supports the premise that, green tea is not simply tea, it’s a potently active, naturally safe and delicious, health supplement, which can positively effect health and life, in general.
Y.Hara., T.Matsuzaki and T. Suzuki, Nippon Nogeikagaku Kaishi, 61, 803 (1987) 49~57
For detailed information on the health benefits of Japanese Organic Green Tea, contact:
TANABATA Nutritional Research – “Green Tea Therapy Specialists”
The Kulhay wellness clinic & educational Centre
72 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto ON CANADA M4V-1M7
TOLL FREE 1-866-909-9955
E-mail : Tanabata.greentea@sympatico.ca
| 
