In the future, arthritis relief may come from a cup of green tea.
Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School recently found that this beverage contains a compound that appears to reduce inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The compound called EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate) is being investigated as a treatment for RA. So far, results are encouraging.
The scientists presented their findings at Experimental Biology 2007, an annual gathering of several scientific societies that was held in Washington, D.C. In their study, the researchers found that joint cells called synovial fibroblasts that were affected by RA improved after being treated with EGCG. Compared to the untreated fibroblasts, the treated ones had lower levels of inflammation, according to Dr. Salah-uddin Ahmed, one of the investigators.
“The EGCG-treated cells produced lower levels of two other inflammatory chemicals than cells that hadn't been treated with EGCG. In fact, the highest tested dose of EGCG virtually halted production of those inflammatory chemicals during the experiment. Further lab tests show that EGCG blocked a chemical chain reaction linked to inflammation and joint damage,” reported Miranda Hitti in WebMD Medical News.
"The results from this study suggest that EGCG may be of potential therapeutic value in regulating the joint destruction in RA," Ahmed said.
In addition to EGCG, Dr. David Buttle of the University of Sheffield in England said green tea also contains ECG (epicatechin gallate) that can help prevent osteoarthritis by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
"If you have fairly severe joint damage it may be too late to do anything about it, but if you spend decades of your life drinking green tea in the end it may be beneficial,” Buttle said.
Source : articlesbase
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