Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Iron Chelation Corner => Topic started by: Andy Battaglia on February 27, 2008, 03:02:40 AM
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Supplementing chelation can be an important part of the treatment regimen for thalassemics. We talk much about the chelating properties of IP6 and the iron absorption inhibiting properties of tea and dairy products, but tea may also have the property of chelating existing iron stores, in addition to preventing iron from being absorbed from food.
From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16798656
Iron-chelating and free-radical scavenging activities of microwave-processed green tea in iron overload.
Srichairatanakool S, Ounjaijean S, Thephinlap C, Khansuwan U, Phisalpong C, Fucharoen S.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. mdbci@yahoo.com
Secondary iron overload is found in beta-thalassemia (thal) patients because of increased dietary iron absorption and multiple blood transfusions. Excessive iron catalyzes free-radical generation, leading to oxidative damage and vital organ dysfunction. Non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) detected in thalassemic plasma is highly toxic and chelatable. Though used to treat iron overload, desferrioxamine (DFO) and deferiprone (L1) also have adverse effects. Green tea (GT) shows many pharmacological effects, particularly antioxidative and iron-chelating capacities. This study was performed to investigate the ability of GT extracts to reduce plasma NTBI concentration and oxidative stress in vitro. The Fe(3+) was found to bind to GT crude extract and form a complex. Green tea crude extract time- and dose-dependently decreased plasma NTBI concentration and counteracted the increase of oxidative stress in both Fe(2+)-EDTA-treated human plasma and erythrocytes. Green tea is a bifunctional natural product that could be relevant for management of iron overload and oxidative stress.
PMID: 16798656 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
I do believe that we are seeing within this group, that IP6 has some real value in supplementing chelation. Add green tea extract to the arsenal. The antioxidant properties of both substances have benefits beyond chelation and should be considered by all patients. Antioxidants are one of the most important substances for reducing the damage done by iron to the cells and the intake should be maximized by thals.
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Hi,
I was also thinking of posting about green tea :) great minds think alike :rotfl
Last few months were really stress full for me,and apart from them in my norma life i am a very easily depressed kind of person,i suffer from bouts of depression regularly,so in those last months a friend of mine told me that she takes green tea three times a day and it helps her in depression,i was very desperate so i started it thrice a day though i hate the taste,and miraculously it helped me,both with depression and weight loss ,and i take it daily till date.Some times i thought that it was only a psychological effect but when i googled about it i found .
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea#Potential_effects_of_green_tea_on_health
A study published in the August 22, 2006 edition of Biological Psychology looked at the modification of the stress response via L-Theanine, a chemical found in green tea. It "suggested that the oral intake of L-Theanine could cause anti-stress effects via the inhibition of cortical neuron excitation."[19]
From http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=146
Green Tea and Iron Absorption
Due to their high tannin-content, teas, including green tea, have been shown to prevent iron absorption. While this effect is helpful in persons with too much iron, consuming several cups of green tea daily may not be a good idea for persons deficient in iron or susceptible to iron deficiency.
But it woud be really hard to convince Zainub to drink it , :huh
ZAINI.
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Hi Andy
Is green tea extract any different from green tea? I used to give Hassan decaffeinated tea earlier but when I read that decaffeinated teas have a high level of flouride and could cause flouride poisoning in children I switched to green tea.
MAHA
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Green tea extract is made from green tea. It is a more concentrated form of tea, so it's stronger. Drinking the tea is good but the extract has more effect. Either, or both can help lower iron levels. I think supplementing chelating drugs is a good idea. Natural substances like green tea and IP6 penetrate the cells more easily than the drugs and offer benefits at the cellular level that can counter some of the damage iron does to cells.
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:exactly Andy!
And natural substances like IP6 and green tea don't have any side effects.
ZAINI.
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Dr Modha would like me to remind everyone that green tea extract is part of his I KEL chelation formula. To be fair to Dr Modha, I would like to add that another ingredient of his formula, curcumin, is another natural substance that is often mentioned in the research articles as an iron chelator. Has anyone contacted the doctor or tried his product yet? From what Dr Modha has said, I believe his formula has the potential to supplement chelation and also provide good antioxidant properties to protect the cells. I do not think anyone should forgo their regular chelation in favor of it at this point, but supplementing may provide added iron removal. I also applaud the doctor for trying to get his formula into the hands of patients who cannot afford any chelation, as it may be of great help to these patients.
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My son loves tea - we have gotten him used to tea b/c of his thalassemia. People are often surprised when my little guy requests tea and biscotti when we go out - makes him seem like quite the little gentleman - sometimes people look at me to see if I will approve his request - and I respond by saying "yes please, the young man would like some tea:)". :biggrin
Andy, is green tea extract available in pill form? What dose should I offer my 9 year old (he is 58 lb)?
Sharmin
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Green tea extract is available from many supplement companies. For example http://www.puritan.com/pages/file.asp?xs=C82355E1D8D841DC8B0EACC91CC02FCC&PID=451&CID=&CPID=1507
Of course, being that it contains caffeine it does have the "don't give to children" warning, but every thal doctor on earth will tell you to give tea to kids, so please ignore the warning. The benefits of tea far outweigh any problems caffeine in tea poses. I would try one capsule twice daily and see if it causes him to be hyper at all. If not, try two caps twice daily.
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Thanks Andy - I'll order some and get him on the one dose a day soon.
Sharmin
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The antioxidant backdrop of both substances accept allowances above chelation and should be advised by all patients.
_________________
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Well, green tea is a good herbal medicine. It composed all herbal medicine to protect the immune system of our body. So I love drinking a green tea every day.
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According to a new research, green tea can also be useful for Alzheimer's and Parkinson Disease..
Abbas
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Hi Andy
Is green tea extract any different from green tea? I used to give Hassan decaffeinated tea earlier but when I read that decaffeinated teas have a high level of flouride and could cause flouride poisoning in children I switched to green tea.
MAHA
Hi, I am a new member of forum. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guys!!!
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A new member would definitely be welcomed here unless ..... he or she is trying to post spam .
If you or any person you know have thal,and you have any questions about it,feel free to share.
Zaini.
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I did have to remove a link from sharonk868's post. Spammers quickly learn they are closely watched here.
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This link was sent to me by Janco. Thanks for the link.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15802907
Ann Nutr Metab. 2005 Mar-Apr;49(2):118-24. Epub 2005 Mar 29.
Effect of green tea decoction on long-term iron, zinc and selenium status of rats.
Hamdaoui MH, Chahed A, Ellouze-Chabchoub S, Marouani N, Ben Abid Z, Hédhili A.
Unité de Recherche sur l'Anémie Nutritionnelle et la Biodisponibilité des Oligoéléments, Ecole Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de la Santé de Tunis, Tunisie. hamdaoui.medhedi@gnet.tn
Abstract
AIMS: The objective was to examine the effect of green tea decoction given at two different concentrations on the long-term (6 weeks) iron, zinc and selenium status of rats.
METHODS: During the experimental period, the rats were given ad libitum a basic diet + ultra pure water (control group), a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 50 g/l (tea 50 group), or a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 100 g/l (tea 100 group). The zinc and iron status was evaluated by determining their concentrations in the serum, blood precipitate, liver, spleen, femur, heart and kidney. Selenium status was evaluated by the serum selenium concentration and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity.
RESULTS: Green tea decoction significantly reduced serum iron by 26% in the tea groups (p < 0.01). The blood precipitate of iron was significantly decreased by 25 and 41% in the tea 50 and tea 100 groups (p < 0.01), respectively. The reserve of iron stored in the liver, spleen and femur was significantly reduced in the tea 100 group by 32% (p < 0.02), 20% (p < 0.04) and 35% (p < 0.005), respectively. Moreover, the two concentrations of green tea significantly decreased the reserve of iron stored in the kidney (p < 0.005) and heart (p < 0.02). In contrast with its effects on iron status, green tea decoction significantly increased the serum zinc in the tea 100 group by 24% (p < 0.001). It also increased the blood precipitate of zinc by 50 (p < 0.01) and 75% (p < 0.0001) in tea 50 and tea 100 groups, respectively. In the kidney, heart and femur, zinc significantly increased in the tea groups dependent on the tea dose. Similarly, the high concentration of green tea decoction significantly increased the serum selenium concentration by 16% (p < 0.004). In addition, both concentrations of green tea decoction significantly increased the whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity by 102 and 130% (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Green tea decoction reduced the iron status and improved the zinc and selenium status of rats. These effects may constitute another beneficial effect of the green tea decoction which could play an important role in the antioxidant processes.
Not only did tea reduce iron load, but it also improved the zinc and selenium status, both of which are very beneficial in thalassemia.
PMID: 15802907 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Hi guy
I just wanted to know, how do you take green tea is it a teabag, because i can only find it as c apsules ont he net?
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Hi Eesha,
Green tea should be easy to find. It's sold in most places that also sell black tea. The extract is stronger though, so for use in thalassemia, the capsules are fine. I would recommend both.
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hi eesha
since a half year i take this capsules with green tea extrakt
and i am doing very very fine.....
i dont chelate as much ass before, and my skincolor change from
phale yellow to normal.....this are the capsules...panos
forgot to say...after every meal i take one...
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I have a question about green tea (extract). Does green tea cause constipation for kids?
Thanks for your help.
Souly
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Green tea is often recommended to prevent constipation. If this does seem to be a problem, I would suggest drinking more water when taking the extract.
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Thanks Andy for your clarification.
Souly
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Dr Vichnski also reminded us of the importance of drinking both green and black tea.
Both have very helpful properties.
Sharmin
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I've always drank black tea, but since this article I started drinking green tea. It's only been 6 days, but I'm enjoying the flavor. So far I've only had it hot using a teabag. I'm drinking about 3-4 cups a day.
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i have been told not to have green tea with out a little sugar in it. otherwise it becomes harmful ...
so either have it with your meals or add some sugar when drinking it!
i also had really delicous green tea with a some mint leaves in it. i'm not sure if it had mint leaves only but it was yummy
take care!!