Published By: K.D Cameron

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The additional intake of Epigallocatechin Gallate from green tea gives positive results in 66.7% of the people suffering from ulcerative colitis.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is a complex name by which the green tea extract rich in flavonoids is designated. Due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects a series of researches already proved that EGCG can improve cardio-vascular health and plays a part in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Furthermore, recent studies proved that this extract has a positive effect on people suffering from a bowel disease called ulcerative colitis.

Colon inflammation – is there a cure?

The ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease in which open festering wounds appear on the mucous membrane of the colon, that lead to rectal bleeding and chronic diarrhea. The medications usually used to treat this condition often cause malformations of the wall of the colon, suppress the immune system and lead to serious side effects.

A study published in the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases journal shows the extraordinary abilities of the EGCG from green tea to overcome the inflammatory processes in the bowels. 20 people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis participated in the study. They were divided into three groups – the first took 200 mg of EGCG twice daily, the second – 400 mg of EGCG twice daily, and the third (placebo) did not take EGCG. The results were generalized on the basis of an 8-week treatment. The participants periodically answered questions about their condition and symptoms. Furthermore, they were regularly subjected to endoscopic examinations that determined the changes in the mucous membrane of the bowels.

The condition of patients with ulcerative colitis reported at the beginning and the end of the study showed clearly that the green tea extract contributed significantly to the improvement of their general condition. Positive results were observed in 10 of the 15 patients treated with EGCG, which is equal to 66.7 %. Neither of the patients in the placebo group showed any improvement. Summarized data showed that 8 out of 15 patients treated with EGCG were in remission at the end of the study, which makes 53.3%. No difference was reported between the groups taking lower and higher doses of EGCG.

"This is the first study that gives promising results and proofs that the green tea extract can cure people suffering from ulcerative colitis and colon inflammation”, said the authors of the study. „The clinical benefits observed coupled with the lack of side effects give grounds for the high evaluation and trust attributed to EGCG as a traditional remedy for this disease.”

• What care we should take if we have colon inflammation?

You should definitely include green tea as a food supplement in your daily regimen. But there are other things that would help you reduce the symptoms if you suffer from ulcerative colitis.

 
• Do you have any food allergies?

For some people the identification and removal of allergenic foods from their diet may lead to better control of ulcerative colitis symptoms.

• Eat fish more often!

Fats contained in fish have inflammatory action unlike those contained in food of animal origin. Eat fish several times a week, reduce the intake of dairy and other animal fats and you may also take additionally codliver oil every day as a food supplement. This will surely reduce inflammatory processes in your body.

• Take probiotics!

It has been shown that probiotic supplements are extremely beneficial for prevention of infections and for prolongation of remission periods in people suffering from ulcerative colitis.

( Inflamm bowel Dis 2013 ; 19:1904-12 )

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